Chadian authorities have unequivocally dismissed allegations from the United Nations concerning civilian fatalities resulting from aerial bombardments targeting Boko Haram in the Lake Chad basin. During a press briefing on Thursday, May 14, officials demanded concrete evidence and extended an invitation for an independent investigative mission to visit the region.

The UN had previously reported on Sunday that air raids, reportedly conducted by Nigerian and Chadian military forces, were responsible for approximately one hundred civilian deaths across northeastern Nigeria and Chad. Some of these incidents, the UN stated, occurred during operations against Boko Haram, prompting their call for a thorough inquiry.

For Gassim Chérif Mahamat, the Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, these accusations are entirely baseless. “We respond with astonishment,” he stated, emphasizing that “these serious allegations aim to discredit the Chadian Army, even as it stands on the frontline in the fight against terrorism across the Sahel and within the Lake Chad basin. Our army is a professional force with a proven track record.”

He further asserted that “neither civilians nor fishermen” were present in the specific areas targeted by Chadian aviation. “Currently, no formal evidence supports these accusations,” he added, reiterating N’Djamena’s readiness to “conduct its own investigations and extend an invitation to the United Nations or any other international body to visit the ground and carry out independent inquiries.”

The spokesperson underscored that the ongoing state of emergency in the region is specifically designed to ensure the safety and welfare of local populations. Military and security forces maintain a continuous presence there to uphold this objective.

He also highlighted that the comprehensive strategy against Boko Haram is built upon a dual foundation: robust security measures and significant socio-economic development. He explained that the state has made substantial investments in the affected areas to counter the indoctrination fueled by poverty and inadequate infrastructure.

“Chad bears the heaviest burden, both through its populace and its constantly mobilized army,” Gassim Chérif Mahamat affirmed. He reminded that Chad is not the sole nation bordering Lake Chad and maintains close cooperation with Nigeria in the ongoing battle against the Boko Haram insurgency.

On May 4 and 6, the jihadist group launched assaults on Chadian Army positions, resulting in numerous casualties and injuries. N’Djamena firmly asserts that Boko Haram is unequivocally responsible for these violent acts, not the Chadian military.