On June 1, 2026, General Ali Ahmat Aghabache, Chad’s Minister of Public Security and Immigration, appeared before the Senate to address pressing concerns regarding ongoing violence and instability across the nation. He engaged in a spirited debate initiated by Senator M. Mbaigolmen Sébastien’s oral question, with Dr. Haroun Kabadi, the esteemed President of the Senate, presiding over the session.

Dr. Haroun Kabadi, the Senate President, opened the discussion by highlighting the continued occurrence of conflicts despite significant deployments of defense and security forces in various provinces. He cited specific instances, including violence in Mayo-Kebbi Ouest, Salamat in June 2025, and Hadjar-Lamis on November 4, 2025, which tragically resulted in numerous fatalities.

A notable example of these tensions was a conflict between herders and farmers in Mandakao, Logone Occidental province, on May 14, 2025. This particular incident eventually led to a resolution, with an agreement formally signed on July 5, 2025.

In his response to Senator Mbaigolmen Sébastien’s inquiry, General Ali Ahmat Aghabache clarified the multifaceted origins of intercommunal strife, identifying disputes over water access, land ownership, and farmer-herder clashes as primary catalysts. Before delving into specific questions, the minister paused to convey his profound sympathy and pay tribute to all citizens who have lost their lives or suffered temporary or permanent disabilities due to the various communal conflicts plaguing Chad’s provinces. He articulated a preference for the oral question to encompass the broader issue of communal conflicts, not just in Dougui department within Logone Occidental province, but also extending to Mayo-Kebbi, Wadi, Sila, Bahr El-Ghazal, Salamat, and the more recent unrest in Wadi Fira. “We stand in solidarity with the grieving families and extend our heartfelt condolences to all victims of this violence,” he stated.

The minister further assured the senators of his department’s unwavering commitment to developing clear strategies and tangible solutions to address the significant security challenges facing the nation. This commitment underscores a proactive approach to enhancing Chad’s stability.

While acknowledging persistent pockets of insecurity, the Security Minister affirmed that overall national security remains largely intact. Minister Aghabache emphasized that “nowhere in the world does a completely perfect security situation or an absolute absence of insecurity exist,” underscoring the universal nature of such challenges. This perspective is vital for understanding Chad’s security landscape.

He stressed, however, that these tensions, frequently exploited or manipulated at the local level, cannot be resolved solely through security deployments. Such deployments primarily serve to contain violence and establish an environment conducive to lasting political and social resolutions. This highlights the complex nature of African politics and security in the region.

Despite isolated incidents, strategies focused on preventing and resolving communal conflicts are considered most effective for addressing the root causes of instability. The minister outlined several key factors contributing to the escalation and persistence of violence across various Chadian provinces:

• Natural Resource Conflicts: Tensions and violent acts frequently intensify during the rainy season in the eastern, southern, and central regions of the country. This is primarily due to livestock encroaching upon and damaging agricultural crops. Such disputes often escalate into violent retaliations rather than being resolved through peaceful negotiation between affected parties.
• Land and Water Scarcity: Climate change and prolonged drought in northern areas have led to a significant reduction in pastoral resources, compelling herders to migrate southward. Concurrently, population growth and the expansion of cultivated land intensify pressure on both agricultural and pastoral territories, fueling conflicts among local communities.
• Absence of Clear Resource Regulation and Legal Gaps: The lack of precise mapping for transhumance corridors, undefined land rights, and ambiguous agricultural zones creates a legal vacuum that exacerbates disagreements between different groups.
• Demographic Growth: An expanding population drives increased demand for grazing lands, water, food, and arable land. This surge in demand places immense strain on fragile ecosystems and local communities, heightening competition and potential for conflict.
• Political Exploitation of Tribal Affiliations: Certain political actors manipulate tribal allegiances to garner support, enhance their influence or secure personal and political advantages. This cynical tactic further inflames local tensions and conflicts, impacting African politics at a grassroots level.
• Ethnic Diversity and Tribal Structures: Chadian society is remarkably complex, comprising over 200 ethnic groups. The strong emphasis on tribal identity over national belonging has, in some instances, weakened the sense of state allegiance and the concept of shared citizenship.
• Regional Security Dynamics and Cross-Border Conflicts: The proliferation of light weapons across Chad’s borders has granted local communities easier access to lethal automatic firearms. This availability significantly escalates the intensity of traditional conflicts and dramatically increases their human cost. This is a critical point for Panafrica News reporting.
• Land Ownership and Historical Boundary Disputes: Conflicts stemming from disputed land ownership and historical boundaries between various social groups also contribute to the overall instability. In 2025 alone, these conflicts resulted in a tragic toll of 318 deaths and 315 injuries.

Senators posed numerous questions to the minister, specifically inquiring about the provinces most severely impacted by violence, the concrete measures and mechanisms implemented to de-escalate conflicts in specific Chadian provinces and villages, and the pressing issue of light weapons proliferation across the country. These questions reflect a broader concern for Chad security challenges.

While acknowledging and commending the Security Minister’s efforts in combating insecurity nationwide, the senators collectively emphasized that substantial work remains to be done to achieve lasting peace and stability.

Addressing the senators’ concerns about intercommunal conflicts, the Security Minister strongly urged local leaders, traditional chiefs, and elected representatives to intensify their efforts in promoting awareness about the critical importance of coexistence and social cohesion. This, he argued, is essential for preventing future communal clashes. The minister also took the opportunity to detail the operational successes of the police and gendarmerie between 2024 and 2025, reporting the seizure of over 4,000 weapons, the arrest of more than 1,300 criminals, and the confiscation of significant quantities of illicit drugs.

Further questions addressed by the minister included the alarming rise in kidnappings for ransom, particularly prevalent in Mayo-Kebbi Ouest, and the abduction of children by the Boko Haram sect in Lac province. Senator Mariam Ahmat Djamil voiced particular apprehension regarding the undocumented presence of foreigners within Chad, asserting that this situation poses a significant security risk.

Regarding the establishment of new police stations as a strategy to curb insecurity, the minister affirmed his department’s full commitment to this initiative. He highlighted recent successes in Abéché, Ouaddaï province, where the creation of several new police stations and companies has demonstrably led to a reduction in insecurity over a sustained period. This demonstrates proactive measures in enhancing Chad security.