Africa-Press. Chad’s President, Mahamat Idriss Deby, condemned what he described as “internal and external manipulation attempts” aimed at dividing the Chadian people, following violent incidents in the eastern part of the country.
In an interview conducted through his media team, Deby referred to his visit from April 28 to May 2, 2026, to the Wadi Fira region in eastern Chad, which came after clashes between local communities that resulted in the deaths of at least 42 people according to government figures, while local sources indicate that the number could reach 60 fatalities.
The Chadian president stated that the primary goal of his field movements in various conflict-affected areas is to directly assess the situation and take necessary actions, adding, “The true leader is one who is in the field.”
In his comments on the events, Deby placed a significant portion of the responsibility for the repercussions of the war in neighboring Sudan, emphasizing that the two parties in the conflict there — the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces — “have worked to expand the conflict to reach inside Chad,” as he put it, noting that they “deliberately transformed the conflict into a dispute between local communities” by exploiting tribal and ethnic ties that extend across the borders.
He also acknowledged the difficulty of controlling the flow of weapons along the approximately 1,500-kilometer border, stressing that the continued spread of arms among civilians makes achieving stability extremely challenging. He stated, “As long as weapons are in the hands of civilians, peace will not be achieved,” considering disarmament a top priority for the state.
Deby placed local authorities and traditional administrations under direct pressure, warning that they are required to take responsibility for maintaining national unity, or else their powers will be revoked, emphasizing the need for these entities to guarantee social peace and coexistence among the different components of the country.
