N’Djamena’s government has vehemently dismissed allegations from the United Nations regarding civilian fatalities stemming from airstrikes targeting Boko Haram within the Lake Chad basin. In a press briefing on Thursday, May 14, officials demanded concrete evidence and extended an invitation for an independent investigation team to visit the region.
The UN had reported on Sunday that air operations, linked to both Nigerian and Chadian Army forces, were believed to have caused approximately one hundred civilian casualties in northeastern Nigeria and Chad. Some of these incidents reportedly occurred during missions against Boko Haram, prompting the UN to call for a full inquiry.
Gassim Chérif Mahamat, the Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, labeled these UN allegations as unfounded. He expressed astonishment at the claims, stating, “We are taken aback. These serious accusations appear designed to undermine the Chadian Army’s reputation, despite its pivotal role on the front lines in the fight against terrorism across the Sahel and Lake Chad basin. Our military is a professional force with a proven track record.”
He further asserted that “neither civilians nor fishermen” were present in the areas targeted by Chadian aircraft. “Currently, no formal evidence supports these accusations,” he elaborated, emphasizing that N’Djamena stands ready to “conduct its own inquiries and extend an invitation to the United Nations or any other international body to visit the ground and carry out independent investigations.”
The spokesperson reiterated that the ongoing state of emergency in the region is specifically intended to ensure the safety and welfare of local populations. Chadian Army and security services maintain a constant presence there.
He also highlighted the dual-pronged approach to combating Boko Haram: a robust security component alongside significant socio-economic initiatives. According to him, the state has made substantial investments in the affected areas to counter indoctrination, which often thrives amidst poverty and inadequate infrastructure.
“Chad bears the heaviest burden, both through its populace and its continuously mobilized military,” affirmed Gassim Chérif Mahamat. He reminded listeners that Chad is not the sole riparian 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 had launched assaults on Chadian Army positions, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. N’Djamena firmly maintains that Boko Haram is the true perpetrator of the violence, not the Chadian Army.
