Chad refutes un claims of civilian casualties in lake Chad strikes

Speaking to national media on Thursday, Gassim Chérif Mahamat, the Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, firmly refuted allegations, asserting that such claims aim to undermine the Chadian army’s reputation and dignity. He emphasized that Chad’s armed forces are highly professional and play a leading role in combating terrorism across the Sahel and within the volatile Lake Chad basin.

Meanwhile, Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, issued a statement on Wednesday, demanding “independent” investigations. His call followed reports of airstrikes, reportedly carried out by Nigerian and Chadian military forces, which allegedly resulted in dozens of civilian fatalities in Nigeria’s northeastern region. Türk stressed the imperative for Nigerian and Chadian authorities to conduct swift, thorough, independent, and impartial inquiries into these disturbing occurrences.

For its part, the Nigerian military maintained that its operations targeted a “confirmed terrorist structure, exclusively inhabited by non-state armed elements who posed an immediate threat to civilian lives.”

Chad pledges transparency amidst calls for investigation

Government spokesperson Gassim Chérif Mahamat reiterated Chad’s readiness to initiate investigations. Concurrently, he accused Boko Haram of actively destabilizing community coexistence and persistently terrorizing vulnerable populations in the affected areas. “Operating under a principle of transparency, the Chadian state is prepared to conduct investigations,” he explained, adding, “We possess an independent judiciary and institutions fully capable of carrying out transparent inquiries.”

Türk had previously urged the armed forces of both nations to “exercise every possible precaution to prevent civilian casualties,” underscoring that all military operations must strictly adhere to international humanitarian law and human rights principles. He firmly stated, “Civilians and their property must never become targets of attacks.”

This extensive expanse of water and wetlands, shared by Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad, has regrettably evolved into a jihadist stronghold since 2009. It now provides refuge for fighters from both Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).