Africa-Press. The government of Chad has “strongly” rejected accusations made by a local source regarding civilian casualties during military operations targeting Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin, while also confirming its readiness to conduct independent investigations into the controversial incidents.
The spokesperson for the Chadian government, Qasim Sharif Muhammad, stated that the accusations aim to “discredit the Chadian army,” asserting that the Chadian armed forces are “professional” and continue to play their role in combating terrorism in the Sahel and Lake Chad region.
These remarks came after a statement from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which mentioned airstrikes attributed to the Chadian and Nigerian armies in northeastern Nigeria, reportedly resulting in the deaths of dozens of civilians.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, called on the authorities in Chad and Nigeria to conduct “swift, comprehensive, independent, and impartial investigations” into these incidents, emphasizing the need to hold accountable those responsible for any potential violations according to international standards.
Turk confirmed that military operations against Boko Haram and the “ISIS in West Africa” must be carried out in accordance with international humanitarian law and human rights law, stressing that “civilians and civilian objects must never be the target of attacks.”
In response, the Chadian government firmly denied the presence of civilians or fishermen in the areas targeted by Chadian airstrikes, asserting that there is “no official evidence” supporting the UN accusations thus far.
Qasim Sharif Muhammad stated during a press conference in N’Djamena that the country is prepared “to conduct its own investigations and welcome independent UN or international missions to the field to verify the facts.”
The spokesperson noted that the state of emergency imposed in the Lake Chad region aims to protect the population and ensure their security, pointing out that the army and security forces are permanently deployed in the area to counter threats from armed groups.
He added that combating Boko Haram is not limited to military action but also includes social and economic approaches, explaining that the government has invested significantly in the region to fight poverty and marginalization, which extremist groups exploit for recruitment and radicalization.
The Chadian official emphasized that the country “pays the highest price” in the war against Boko Haram, both in terms of civilian and military casualties, noting that Chad works closely with Nigeria and other countries bordering Lake Chad to address escalating security threats.
Boko Haram launched attacks on Chadian army positions on May 4 and 6, resulting in casualties, indicating a continued security threat in the region despite intensive military operations.
The Lake Chad area is one of the most vulnerable regions in terms of security, as it serves as a meeting point for the borders of four countries: Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad, making it an open ground for the movements of armed groups and smuggling networks.
Since 2009, the region has become a major stronghold for Boko Haram and the “ISIS in West Africa,” as armed groups exploit the complex geography of the lake and its scattered islands to carry out swift attacks against government forces and civilians.
In recent months, the activity of the “Group of People of the Sunnah for Dawah and Jihad,” affiliated with Boko Haram, has increased, with a rise in kidnappings and attacks on military sites, indicating the organization’s ability to reorganize despite ongoing military campaigns.
Observers believe that the recent attacks reflect the ongoing challenges faced by forces in securing the region, especially with the expanding scope of cross-border threats and the declining logistical capabilities of some regional armies participating in the multinational joint force to combat terrorism in the Lake Basin.
