The Chadian government has vehemently denied allegations of civilian casualties stemming from airstrikes in the Lake Chad region. Gassim Chérif Mahamat, the Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, addressed the national press on Thursday, stating, « These accusations aim to discredit the Chadian army and could undermine its dignity. The Chadian armed forces remain professional and are at the forefront of the fight against terrorism across the Sahel and within the Lake Chad basin. »

These strong remarks follow calls from Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who on Wednesday demanded « independent investigations » into bombardments allegedly carried out by Nigerian and Chadian armies. These operations are reported to have resulted in dozens of deaths in northeastern Nigeria. « It is crucial that Nigerian and Chadian authorities conduct swift, thorough, independent, and impartial investigations into these disturbing incidents, » Türk emphasized in an official statement.

For its part, the Nigerian military affirmed that it had targeted a « confirmed terrorist structure, occupied exclusively by non-state armed actors who posed a direct threat to the lives of civilians. »

Chadian authorities pledge transparency in investigations

Government spokesperson Gassim Chérif Mahamat reiterated Chad’s readiness to initiate investigations, while simultaneously accusing Boko Haram of undermining peaceful coexistence and terrorizing vulnerable populations daily in already fragile areas. He elaborated, « In the spirit of transparency, the Chadian state is prepared to conduct investigations. We possess an independent judiciary and institutions capable of carrying out inquiries with full transparency. »

Volker Türk had previously urged the armed forces of both nations to « take all possible precautions to avoid striking civilians, » underscoring that military operations must adhere strictly to international humanitarian law and human rights principles. He firmly stated, « Civilians and their property must never be the target of attacks. »

This vast expanse of water and marshlands, shared by Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad, has been a significant jihadist stronghold since 2009. It provides refuge to fighters from both Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).