Clashes over water access in eastern Chad kill at least 42
Judicial proceedings launched to establish criminal responsibility as government pledges measures to prevent further instability in the border region
At least 42 people have been killed and 10 injured following a dispute between two families over water access that escalated into reprisal attacks in eastern Chad. The violence, which originated in the village of Igote within Wadi Fira province near the Sudanese border, spread across a wide area as retaliatory actions intensified.
Deputy Prime Minister Limane Mahamat confirmed the death toll during a visit to Igote on Monday, stating that the army intervened after the unrest expanded. He described the security response as swift, noting that the situation has now been brought under control. Mahamat indicated that the initial trigger was a local disagreement that rapidly degenerated into wider communal violence.
In response to the incident, authorities have initiated a customary mediation process in the village and opened judicial proceedings to establish criminal responsibility for the attacks. Mahamat affirmed that the government would take all necessary measures to prevent further instability in the eastern border region, highlighting the urgent need to manage resources and intercommunal relations.
The clash underscores the persistent tension over land and water access in Chad, where such disputes are a common feature of local life. Fighting between farmers and herders in the southwest last year resulted in dozens of deaths and the destruction of homes, illustrating the fragility of security in the country.
This domestic instability occurs as Chad absorbs hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing the war in neighbouring Sudan. The influx has placed significant strain on already limited resources in the eastern provinces, complicating efforts to maintain order and manage the humanitarian situation.
The conflict in Sudan has killed more than 40,000 people according to United Nations estimates, with humanitarian agencies describing it as the world's largest crisis. Chad closed its border with Sudan in February due to concerns over fighters crossing into its territory, yet the spillover of conflict and displacement continues to challenge the nation's stability.
