On Tuesday, Chad called on the international community to increase support for counter-terrorism efforts in the Sahel following a surprise attack by Boko Haram that resulted in the deaths of around 40 Chadian troops.
The jihadist group targeted a military garrison in the Lake Chad region on Sunday, leading to significant casualties among “brave Chadian soldiers,” according to a statement from government spokesman Abderaman Koulamallah. Additionally, around 20 people were reported wounded.
The government emphasized the need for intensified international assistance to combat terrorism in the Sahel and Lake Chad basin, stating, “Determined collective action is essential to eradicate this scourge which threatens the stability and development of the entire region.”
Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno initiated an operation on Monday to pursue the attackers, with security forces actively searching for them.
France’s embassy in Chad expressed solidarity, stating on Facebook that “France stands with Chad in the fight against terrorism” and extended condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers.
Chad, which is an ally of France and is currently led by the son of long-time president Idriss Deby Itno, is the last country in the Sahel hosting French troops. The nation is surrounded by areas with Russian paramilitary forces, notably from the Wagner group.
The Lake Chad region, characterized by its vast waters and swamps, provides refuge for jihadist groups like Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP), both of which frequently attack military and civilian targets. Boko Haram has been responsible for over 40,000 deaths and the displacement of two million people since its insurgency began in Nigeria in 2009.
In response to the recent attack, the government has declared three days of national mourning, with flags at half-mast and a ban on celebratory activities.
