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 insecurity across the nation. His session was prompted by an oral question with debate raised by Senator M. Mbaigolmen Sébastien and was presided over by Dr. Haroun Kabadi, the President of the Senate.

Dr. Kabadi initiated the discussion by highlighting that despite the deployment of defense and security forces throughout various provinces, numerous conflicts continue to be reported. He cited specific incidents, including those in Mayo-Kebbi Ouest, Salamat in June 2025, and Hadjar-Lamis on November 4, 2025, which tragically resulted in multiple fatalities. Furthermore, an earlier dispute between herders and farmers occurred in Mandakao, Logone Occidental province, on May 14, 2025, though an agreement was subsequently signed on July 5, 2025.

Responding to Senator Mbaigolmen Sébastien’s inquiry, Minister Aghabache clarified that inter-communal conflicts primarily stem from disputes over water points, land, and clashes between farmers and herders. Before delving into the specifics, the Minister expressed profound sympathy and observed a moment of silence for all citizens who have lost their lives or suffered temporary or permanent disabilities due to the various communal conflicts plaguing the country. He conveyed his desire for the Senator’s oral question to encompass the broader issue of communal conflicts, not only in Dougui, Logone Occidental, but also in departments such as Mayo-Kebbi, Wadi, Sila, Bahr El-Ghazal, Salamat, and most recently Wadi Fira. “We share the grief of the bereaved families and extend our sincere compassion to all victims of this violence,” he stated.

Minister Aghabache also affirmed his department’s full commitment to providing clear answers and concrete solutions to the security challenges facing Chad. He reassured the assembly that the country’s overall security situation is generally stable, while acknowledging the existence of specific “pockets of insecurity.” “Indeed, no place in the world enjoys a perfectly secure situation or an absolute absence of insecurity,” Minister Aghabache declared.

He underscored that these tensions, often locally exploited or instrumentalized, cannot be resolved solely through security presence, which primarily aims to contain violence and create conditions conducive to lasting political and social solutions. Despite persistent isolated incidents, prevention and conflict resolution strategies remain the most effective means to address the root causes of the phenomenon. He summarized the reasons for the increase and persistence of violent acts across different provinces as follows:

• Conflicts over Natural Resources: Tensions and violence escalate during the rainy season in eastern, southern, and central Chad due to livestock damaging agricultural crops. These disagreements frequently devolve into violent acts of vengeance rather than peaceful resolution.
• Scarcity of Land and Water: Climate change and drought in certain northern regions have diminished pastoral resources, compelling herders to migrate south. Concurrently, population growth and expanding cultivated areas intensify pressure on agricultural and pastoral lands, fueling conflicts among local communities.
• Absence of Clear Resource Regulation and Legal Vacuum: The lack of precise maps delimiting transhumance corridors, land rights, and agricultural zones creates a legal void that fosters disputes between groups.
• Demographic Growth: An increasing population leads to higher demand for pastures, water, food, and land, exacerbating pressure on fragile ecosystems and local communities.
• Political Instrumentalization of Tribal Affiliations: Certain political actors exploit tribal allegiances to garner support, enhance influence, or secure personal or political advantages, thereby aggravating local tensions and conflicts.
• Ethnic Diversity and Tribal Structure: Chadian society is exceptionally complex, comprising over 200 ethnic groups. The predominance of tribal identity over national identity has weakened the sense of belonging to the state and the concept of citizenship.
• Influence of Neighboring Countries’ Security Situations and Regional Conflicts: The proliferation of small arms across borders has made deadly automatic weapons accessible to local communities, intensifying traditional conflicts and increasing their human cost.
• Conflicts Related to Land Ownership and Historical Boundaries: The cumulative human toll from these conflicts in 2025 reached 318 fatalities and 315 injuries.

Senators posed several questions to the Minister, inquiring about the provinces most affected by violence, the measures implemented or mechanisms established to reduce violence in specific Chadian provinces and villages, and the issue of small arms proliferation. While acknowledging and commending the Minister’s efforts in combating insecurity nationwide, the senators emphasized that much work remains to be done.

In response to questions concerning inter-communal conflicts, the Minister of Security urged local leaders, traditional chiefs, and elected officials to prioritize awareness campaigns on the importance of peaceful coexistence and social cohesion to prevent such disputes. He took the opportunity to present the operational outcomes of police and gendarmerie activities between 2024 and 2025, which included the seizure of over 4,000 weapons, the arrest of more than 1,300 brigands, and the confiscation of significant quantities of drugs.

Further questions were raised and addressed by the Minister, particularly concerning kidnappings for ransom, especially in Mayo-Kebbi Ouest, and child abductions by the Boko Haram sect in the Lake Province. Senator Mariam Ahmat Djamil also voiced concerns about the alarming presence of unidentified foreigners in Chad, deeming it a source of insecurity.

Regarding the establishment of new police stations to enhance security, the Minister affirmed his department’s dedicated efforts. He cited the recent creation of several police stations and companies in Abéché, Ouaddaï province, which has contributed to a noticeable reduction in insecurity in that region.