N’DJAMENA: At least 42 people were killed and several others were injured in clashes between two communities in eastern Chad, the public security ministry said Thursday. The conflict erupted in a desert area of the vast Sahel country, known for its recurring land disputes.
Details regarding the exact parties involved in the conflict and the duration of the clashes remain undisclosed by the ministry. However, the region has a history of tensions between sedentary farmers and nomadic herders, among other groups, often stemming from disputes over land ownership.
In a statement issued by the ministry, it was revealed that the violence led to the arrest of 175 persons at the scene. Additionally, a significant portion of the village of Tileguey in Ouaddai province fell victim to arson perpetrated by armed assailants.
General Mahamat Charfadine Margui, Chad’s Public Security Minister, conveyed that while the situation is now under control, efforts are underway to mediate between the conflicting parties. Margui, leading a government and military delegation, is personally overseeing the mission aimed at investigating the incident thoroughly.
The eastern and southern regions of Chad, where a substantial number of residents are armed, frequently witness clashes, with farmers accusing herders of encroaching on their land and causing damage to crops. These recurring conflicts underscore the challenges faced by communities in securing and managing land resources in the region.
