N'DJAMENA, Chad (AP) — A violent clash between two families over a water point in eastern Chad has resulted in at least 42 fatalities, according to Limane Mahamat, the country’s deputy prime minister. The incident took place in the village of Igote, located in the Wadi Fira province, near the border with Sudan. The violence erupted on Saturday and quickly escalated into a cycle of reprisals, leaving an additional 10 individuals injured. Mahamat confirmed that the injured have been evacuated to the provincial health center for treatment.
During his visit to the affected area, Mahamat indicated that the cycle of retaliatory violence had spread across a significant region, necessitating military intervention. He praised the "swift response" of the military, which he stated had helped to bring the clashes under control. In light of the violence, the deputy prime minister announced the initiation of a 'customary mediation' process in Igote, as well as judicial proceedings to establish criminal responsibility for the clashes.
Intercommunal conflicts over resources are a recurrent issue in Chad, particularly in its eastern provinces. Mahamat referred to previous similar incidents, mentioning that clashes between farmers and herders in southwestern Chad had also resulted in 42 deaths last year, alongside widespread property destruction. He assured that the government would implement "all necessary measures" to avert further destabilization in the border region where these recent clashes transpired.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has exacerbated the situation in eastern Chad, as hundreds of thousands of refugees have flowed across the border since violence erupted in Sudan. As a result, local resources and security measures are increasingly under strain. In response to this crisis, Chad's government decided in February to close its border with Sudan "until further notice." This action was aimed at preventing the spillover of conflict into Chad following reports of armed fighters from Sudan crossing into Chadian territory during the ongoing hostilities.
The war in Sudan has seen staggering casualties, with United Nations estimates putting the death toll at over 40,000. Humanitarian agencies suggest that the actual figure could be significantly higher. This ongoing conflict has created the largest humanitarian disaster in the world, displacing over 14 million people and leading to outbreaks of disease and widespread famine conditions in certain regions.
