Chad denies un claims of civilian deaths in Boko Haram airstrikes

The Chadian government has firmly rejected accusations from the United Nations, which alleged that civilians were killed in airstrikes targeting Boko Haram in the Lake Chad basin. During a press briefing held this Thursday, May 14, officials demanded concrete evidence and offered to host an independent investigation team.

Earlier, the UN had stated on Sunday that airstrikes attributed to Nigerian and Chadian military forces allegedly resulted in approximately one hundred civilian casualties in northeastern Nigeria and Chad. Some of these incidents reportedly occurred during operations against Boko Haram, prompting calls for an official inquiry.

Government responds with strong denial

Gassim Chérif Mahamat, Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, dismissed the allegations as unfounded. “We respond with genuine surprise, he stated. These serious accusations appear designed to undermine the credibility of the Chadian Armed Forces, despite their proven track record in combating terrorism across the Sahel and the Lake Chad region. This is a highly professional military that has consistently delivered results.”

He insisted that “no civilians or fishermen” were present in the areas targeted by Chadian air operations. “As of now, no tangible evidence supports these claims,” he added, emphasizing that N’Djamena is fully prepared to “conduct its own investigations and invite the United Nations or other international bodies to conduct on-the-ground, independent assessments.”

Security measures and humanitarian commitment

The spokesperson reiterated that the ongoing state of emergency in the region is designed to protect local populations, with military and security personnel deployed around the clock. He also highlighted the dual approach the government is taking against Boko Haram: a robust security response combined with long-term socio-economic development initiatives.

Massive investments have been made in the area to address the root causes of radicalization, including extreme poverty and the lack of basic infrastructure. “Chad bears the heaviest burden in this fight,” he noted, “not only through its military commitment but also through the sacrifices of its people.”

The minister also stressed that Chad is not acting alone. The country collaborates closely with Nigeria and other regional partners in the ongoing battle against the jihadist group. He pointed out that Boko Haram remains the primary source of violence in the region, citing recent attacks on Chadian military positions on May 4 and 6 that left several soldiers and civilians injured.

The government maintains that these attacks, not its own operations, are responsible for the ongoing instability in the Lake Chad area.