Tchad : le ministre de la Sécurité face aux sénateurs sur l’insécurité

On June 1, 2026, General Ali Ahmat Aghabache, the Minister of Public Security and Immigration, addressed the Senate to discuss ongoing violence and insecurity across Chad. His appearance followed an oral question and debate initiated by Senator M. Mbaigolmen Sébastien, with Dr. Haroun Kabadi, President of the Senate, presiding over the session.

Dr. Haroun Kabadi opened the discussion by noting that despite the deployment of defense and security forces in several regions, conflicts continue to emerge. He cited incidents in Mayo-Kebbi Ouest, Salamat in June 2025, and Hadjar-Lamis on November 4, 2025, which tragically resulted in multiple fatalities. A notable clash between herders and farmers also occurred on May 14, 2025, in Mandakao, Logone Occidental province, eventually leading to an agreement signed on July 5, 2025.

In response to Senator Mbaigolmen Sébastien’s inquiry, Minister Ali Ahmat Aghabache elaborated on the root causes of these inter-communal disputes, primarily attributing them to competition over water resources, land, and friction between agriculturalists and pastoralists. Before delving into specifics, the Minister expressed profound sympathy, observing a moment of silence for those who lost their lives or suffered injuries in the various communal conflicts affecting the nation. He emphasized his desire for the debate to encompass the broader issue of communal conflicts, extending beyond Dougui in Logone Occidental to include departments such as Mayo-Kebbi, Wadi, Sila, Bahr El-Ghazal, Salamat, and most recently, Wadi Fira. “We share the anguish of the bereaved families and extend our heartfelt condolences to all victims of this violence,” he stated.

The Minister reaffirmed his department’s unwavering commitment to providing clear answers and implementing tangible solutions to the security challenges confronting Chad.

While acknowledging the presence of isolated pockets of instability, the Minister of Security assured the assembly that overall security within the country remains largely intact. “Indeed, no place on Earth enjoys a state of perfect security or an absolute absence of insecurity,” Minister Aghabache remarked.

He further stressed that these tensions, frequently exploited or manipulated at the local level, cannot be resolved solely through security interventions. Such measures primarily aim to contain violence and establish conditions conducive to long-term political and social resolutions.

Despite the persistence of some isolated incidents, strategies focused on preventing and resolving communal conflicts are considered the most effective in addressing the issue at its source. The Minister summarized the factors contributing to the escalation and persistence of violence across different provinces:

• Conflicts over Natural Resources: Violence intensifies during the rainy season in eastern, southern, and central Chad, often due to livestock damaging agricultural crops. These disagreements frequently escalate into violent acts of retaliation rather than peaceful resolution.
• Scarcity of Land and Water: Climate change and drought in northern regions have diminished pastoral resources, compelling herders to migrate southward. Simultaneously, population growth and expanding cultivated areas intensify pressure on both agricultural and pastoral lands, fueling conflicts among local communities.
• Absence of Clear Resource Regulation and Legal Vacuum: The lack of precise maps delineating transhumance corridors, land rights, and agricultural zones creates a legal void that fosters disputes between groups.
• Demographic Growth: An increasing population drives higher demand for pasture, water, food, and land, thereby exacerbating pressure on fragile ecosystems and local communities.
• Political Exploitation of Tribal Affiliations: Certain political figures capitalize on tribal loyalties to garner support, enhance their influence, or secure personal or political advantages, thus worsening local tensions and conflicts.
• Ethnic Diversity and Tribal Structure: Chadian society is remarkably complex, comprising over 200 ethnic groups. The predominance of tribal identity over national identity has weakened the sense of belonging to the state and the concept of citizenship.
• Influence of Neighboring Countries’ Security Situations and Regional Conflicts: The proliferation of light weapons across borders has made deadly automatic firearms accessible to local communities, escalating the intensity of traditional conflicts and increasing their human cost.
• Conflicts Related to Land Ownership and Historical Boundaries: The cumulative human toll from these conflicts in 2025 reached 318 deaths and 315 injuries.

Senators posed numerous questions, inquiring about the provinces most affected by violence, the measures implemented or mechanisms established to mitigate violence in specific Chadian provinces and villages, and the issue of light weapon proliferation.

Nevertheless, the senators acknowledged and commended the Security Minister’s efforts in combating insecurity nationwide, though they underscored that considerable work remains.

Responding to questions on inter-communal conflicts, the Security Minister urged local officials, traditional leaders, and elected representatives to prioritize raising awareness about the importance of peaceful coexistence and social cohesion to avert further disputes. The Minister also presented a report on police and gendarmerie operations between 2024 and 2025, detailing the seizure of over 4,000 weapons, the arrest of more than 1,300 brigands, and significant quantities of drugs.

Further questions addressed by the Minister included kidnappings for ransom, particularly in Mayo-Kebbi Ouest, and child abductions by the Boko Haram sect in Lac province. Senator Mariam Ahmat Djamil also highlighted concerns regarding the unsettling presence of unidentified foreign individuals on Chadian soil, identifying it as a source of insecurity.

Regarding the establishment of new police stations to enhance security, the Minister confirmed his department’s dedicated efforts. He noted that the recent creation of several police stations and companies in Abéché, Ouaddaï province, has effectively reduced insecurity in that region for some time.