On June 1, 2026, General Ali Ahmat Aghabache, Chad’s Minister of Public Security and Immigration, addressed the Senate to respond to an oral question posed by Senator M. Mbaigolmen Sébastien. The session, presided over by Dr. Haroun Kabadi, President of the Senate, focused on the persistent issues of violence and insecurity plaguing the nation.

Dr. Kabadi initiated the discussion by acknowledging that despite the deployment of defense and security forces across several provinces, numerous conflicts have been reported. He cited specific incidents, including those in Mayo-Kebbi Ouest and Salamat in June 2025, and a serious event in Hadjar-Lamis on November 4, 2025, which tragically resulted in multiple fatalities. Earlier, on May 14, 2025, a dispute between herders and farmers erupted in Mandakao, Logone Occidental province, eventually leading to a resolution agreement signed on July 5, 2025.

Responding to Senator Mbaigolmen Sébastien’s inquiry, Minister Aghabache clarified that intercommunal conflicts primarily stem from disputes over vital resources such as water and land, often exacerbated by tensions between agriculturalists and pastoralists. Before delving into specifics, the Minister expressed profound sympathy for the victims of these conflicts, observing a moment of silence in memory of those who lost their lives or suffered permanent disabilities. He articulated his wish that the oral question had encompassed the broader challenge of community conflicts, not just in Dougui within Logone Occidental, but also in regions like Mayo-Kebbi, Wadi, Sila, Bahr El-Ghazal, Salamat, and most recently, Wadi Fira. “We share the grief of the bereaved families and extend our sincere compassion to all victims of this violence,” he affirmed, underscoring the deep impact of these issues on society Africa.

The Minister assured the senators of his department’s unwavering commitment to providing transparent answers and implementing concrete solutions to the security challenges facing Chad. He maintained that overall security across the country is largely assured, while candidly acknowledging the existence of isolated “pockets of insecurity.” General Aghabache emphasized, “Indeed, a situation of perfectly absolute security or a complete absence of insecurity exists nowhere in the world.”

However, he stressed that these tensions, frequently exploited or manipulated at the local level, cannot be resolved through security presence alone. Such deployments primarily aim to contain violence and create an environment conducive to sustainable political and social resolutions, a critical aspect of effective governance Africa. Despite the persistence of some isolated incidents, prevention and conflict resolution strategies remain the most effective approach to tackling the root causes of the phenomenon. The Minister summarized the reasons behind the rise and persistence of violent acts in various provinces as follows:

• Conflicts over Natural Resources: Tensions and violent acts intensify during the rainy season, particularly in the eastern, southern, and central parts of Chad. These conflicts often arise from livestock damaging agricultural crops, frequently escalating into violent acts of revenge rather than peaceful resolution.
• Scarcity of Land and Water: Climate change and drought in northern regions have led to a reduction in pastoral resources, compelling herders to migrate southward. Concurrently, population growth and the expansion of cultivated land intensify pressure on existing agricultural and pastoral areas, 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 different groups.
• Demographic Growth: An increasing population drives higher demand for pastures, water, food, and land, further straining fragile ecosystems and local communities.
• Political Exploitation of Tribal Affiliations: Certain political actors exploit tribal loyalties to garner support, enhance their influence, or secure personal or political advantages, thereby exacerbating local tensions and conflicts, a concerning trend in African politics.
• Ethnic Diversity and Tribal Structure: Chadian society is remarkably complex, comprising over 200 ethnic groups. The predominance of tribal identity over national allegiance has weakened the sense of belonging to the state and the concept of citizenship.
• Influence of Neighboring Countries’ Security Situations and Regional Conflicts: The unchecked flow of small arms across borders has made deadly automatic weapons accessible to local communities, escalating the intensity of traditional conflicts and increasing their human cost.
• Land Ownership Disputes and Historical Borders: These enduring issues between various social components contribute significantly to the overall insecurity. The cumulative human toll from these conflicts in 2025 reached 318 fatalities and 315 injuries.

Senators posed several questions to the Minister, inquiring about the provinces most affected by violence, the specific measures and mechanisms implemented to reduce violence in certain Chadian provinces and villages, and the critical issue of small arms proliferation. While acknowledging and commending the Minister’s efforts in combating insecurity across the country, the senators underscored that significant work remains ahead.

In response to questions concerning intercommunal conflicts, the Minister of Security urged local officials, traditional chiefs, and elected representatives to intensify their efforts in raising awareness about the importance of peaceful coexistence and social cohesion to prevent future clashes. He also took the opportunity to present a comprehensive report on operations conducted by the police and gendarmerie between 2024 and 2025, revealing the seizure of over 4,000 weapons, the arrest of more than 1,300 brigands, and the confiscation of substantial quantities of illicit drugs.

Further questions addressed by the Minister included kidnappings for ransom, particularly prevalent in Mayo-Kebbi Ouest, and child abductions carried out by the Boko Haram sect in the Lac province. Senator Mariam Ahmat Djamil highlighted the alarming presence of undocumented foreigners on Chadian soil, identifying it as a significant source of insecurity. Regarding the establishment of new police stations to enhance security, the Minister confirmed his department’s ongoing commitment, citing the recent creation of several commissariats and companies in Abéché, Ouaddaï province, which has effectively reduced insecurity in that region for some time.