The Chadian government has firmly rejected accusations by the United Nations regarding civilian casualties during recent military operations against Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region. N’Djamena, however, remains open to conducting transparent investigations into the claims.
N’Djamena upholds military professionalism amid criticism
The Chadian government’s spokesperson, Gassim Chérif Mahamat, dismissed allegations on Thursday that could, in his view, “undermine the credibility of the Chadian army.” He emphasized that national forces remain highly professional and fully committed to combating terrorism across the Sahel and around Lake Chad. These remarks follow a UN Human Rights Office statement accusing Chadian and Nigerian forces of airstrikes in Nigeria’s northeastern region that allegedly resulted in numerous civilian fatalities.
UN calls for swift, independent investigations
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, urged Chadian and Nigerian authorities on Wednesday to initiate rapid, thorough, and impartial investigations into the incidents. He also stressed that military operations must adhere to international humanitarian law, emphasizing that “civilians and civilian infrastructure must never be targeted.”
Türk called on both countries’ armed forces to take every possible precaution to prevent civilian harm, warning that such operations risk violating fundamental rights if conducted without strict compliance with legal standards.
Chad vows transparency in potential probes
While rejecting the allegations outright, Chadian officials confirmed their willingness to investigate. Gassim Chérif Mahamat stated that the nation’s independent judiciary is fully equipped to conduct inquiries with full transparency. Nigeria’s military, for its part, defended its actions, asserting that targeted strikes hit a verified terrorist stronghold exclusively occupied by non-state armed groups.
The Lake Chad Basin: a jihadist stronghold
For over fifteen years, the Lake Chad Basin has emerged as a major jihadist hub in Africa. The vast, marshy terrain spanning Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, and Chad has long served as a refuge for fighters from Boko Haram and the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP). Regional militaries conduct frequent operations against these armed groups amid an increasingly volatile security landscape.