In a rare disciplinary move, Lieutenant General Mahamat Abali Salah, the former Minister of Defense under President Idriss Deby Itno, has been demoted and dismissed from the Chadian armed forces for “serious misconduct.”
The decree, dated September 16, strips him of his rank and removes him permanently from the Defense and Security Forces. The exact nature of the misconduct was not disclosed.
The dismissal comes as the general’s native region, Miski in the Tibesti province, faces ongoing tensions. Statements reportedly made by the general about the security situation in Miski have been circulating on social media. Chadian authorities, however, formally denied any attacks against civilians in the area on September 14.
To maintain order and strengthen state authority, the Chadian government has deployed military and security units to the Tibesti region. This action is part of a broader effort to pacify the province, which has seen a series of peace agreements with local self-defense groups since 2019.
The Miski Self-Defense Committee, a key local group, has clarified its relationship with the central government. According to its representatives, recent disputes have been resolved through dialogue, and the committee remains committed to the peace agreement signed on April 20, 2025. The implementation of this agreement is underway, with the temporary suspension of mining permits and increased oversight of local artisanal mining.
The committee emphasized that the military deployment is a subject of “regular and constructive discussions” with authorities. It also reiterated that only the team of the Ombudsman of the Republic has the mandate to support the final phase of the peace agreement.
This case highlights the complex challenge facing Chad as it works to manage delicate regional balances and maintain the cohesion of its armed forces, particularly in sensitive border areas like Tibesti.
CA/ac/Sf/fss/abj/APA