In Chad, as the army announces the first results of Operation Haskanite against Boko Haram terrorists in Lake Chad, the population is showing solidarity with the wounded soldiers and those on the front line. Some political players are calling on the countries of the region to pool their forces more to eradicate the phenomenon, in order to facilitate cross-border trade, which is necessary for the economies of the region.
In Chad, the Haskanite operation launched by President Mahamat Idriss Deby to avenge the Chadian soldiers who fell victim to a surprise attack by Boko Haram at the end of October 2024 is continuing apace on the islands of Lake Chad. According to an initial report from the Armed Forces General Staff, 96 terrorists have been killed and 11 wounded. The army has also suffered 15 casualties and 32 wounded. These figures have prompted national support and an outpouring of solidarity for the defence and security forces engaged on the front line.
We Chadians are unanimously behind our supreme commander and we support his initiatives to put an end to terrorism in Lake Chad. We are not doing this in a political, religious or community context, but we are all united in a national cause and I think that before long, all the terrorists will be neutralised so that this region is a place where people can move around freely.
ABDELMANANE KHATAB, President of the United People Parliamentary Group
In the wake of the deadly clashes between the army and elements of the terrorist group, a wave of solidarity from the population has been shown in support of the wounded soldiers. Financial and material support has been offered by the population to the army headquarters. For some political players, the countries of the Lake Chad region need to pool their forces more to eradicate the phenomenon and facilitate cross-border trade.
I think that neighbouring countries have experienced this terrorist problem more than we have, and Chad has always stood by them by sending defence and security forces to support them. I don’t think they should play down what’s happening here, thinking that we’re at the top of the game because we have a battle-hardened army. We need the support of our brothers in neighbouring countries, while awaiting the support of friends a little further afield, because it’s our common survival that is at stake.
Dr AHMAT MBODOU MAHAMAT , President of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council
Operation Haskanite was launched in retaliation for a Boko Haram attack on a Chadian army base in the Lake region, which killed around forty Chadian soldiers. The army also announced the reorganisation of its forces in the region to improve border security as the waters of Lake Chad rise.
