Attacks on villages in southern Chad create climate of anxiety

Jacques Ngol, SJ - Vatican City. 

Organised attacks on several villages in the province of Moyen-Chari in southern Chad have left several people dead, wounded and suffering heavy material losses. Cattle were also carried off.

A diocesan Caritas mission visited the area recently to assess the situation and express the Church’s support for victims. Germain Adoumbaye Ndimantangar, head of this mission of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Diocese of Sarh, spoke about the attacks.

At least sixteen dead and some six injured, several hundred heads of livestock and poultry taken away and houses burnt down... This is the toll arrived at by the local diocesan Caritas. Caritas assessed the damages and loss in various villages of Lac-Iro, a lakeside region of Baltobaye. 

Calm and apprehension

In the interview with Vatican News, Ndimantangar, a lawyer by training and head of the mission of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Diocese of Sarh, said that the origin of those who organised the attacks remains unknown. “It was an invasion by a group who came to attack the villages at around 4 or 5 in the morning,” he explained. 

When the villagers came out of their homes, the assailants “began to shoot at them, set fire to houses,” and destroyed everything in their path. 

A week later, calm has returned to the attacked areas, thanks to the presence of the Chadian security forces. However, this calm “needs to be called into question,” Ndimantangar explained. Shooting can still be heard in these areas, especially at night. 

According to Ndimantangar, some arrests have been made, and Caritas is demanding transpafrency and justice for the villagers. “Some of the people involved in these attacks have been arrested and are being held at the Sarh prison, where they may be brought to justice,” he said.

Church’s solidarity with victims

In concrete terms, the Diocese of Sarh is providing food, medicines, and other essentials to victims who survived the attacks.

“Many fled, and others lost homes, livestock, and crops. Suddenly, they find themselves without shelter or food. In addition to its humanitarian aid, “the local Church has appealed to other NGOs and people of goodwill to come on board and help victims,” said the Justice and Peace advocate.

Presidential election is due in May 2024.

“The attacks come at a time when Chad is preparing for the presidential elections. As we speak, the campaigning has begun,” said Ndimantangar. He said Chadians want a President who will govern with fairness and protect the people. 

Chad’s military authorities seized power in 2021. They have pledged to deliver a free and fair presidential election. The first round of the presidential poll will take place on 6 May and the second one on 22 June.