The Chadian government has formally rejected allegations from the United Nations regarding airstrikes in the Lake Chad basin, which the UN claims may have resulted in the deaths of approximately one hundred civilians.
During a press briefing on Thursday, government spokesperson Gassim Chérif dismissed the accusations as an attempt to discredit a professional military that remains on the front lines of the global fight against terrorism. Chérif asserted that the targeted zones were strictly militant-controlled areas containing neither civilians nor local fishermen, emphasizing that no formal evidence has been provided to support the UN’s claims.
In a move to demonstrate transparency, N’Djamena has extended an open invitation for an independent inquiry mission from the United Nations or any other credible international body to investigate the sites. This response follows a Sunday report from the UN which expressed grave concern over the casualty figures and called for an immediate investigation into the conduct of Chadian and Nigerian air operations in the region. The Chadian government maintains that its actions are consistent with international military standards and necessary for regional stability.
Spokesperson Chérif further contextualized the aerial campaign by reminding the international community of recent provocations, noting that Boko Haram launched deadly attacks on Chadian army positions on May 4 and 6. The subsequent airstrikes were described as targeted retaliations against Boko Haram-controlled islands located on the fringes of Lake Chad. Concluding his statement, Chérif remarked that Chad continues to pay the heaviest price in terms of human life and resources while defending the region from extremist incursions, and urged for a more nuanced understanding of the operational challenges in the Lake region.
CA/Sf/lb/abj/APA