Chad President Declares Emergency In Sila,Ouaddai After Intercommunal Violence

Chad’s President Idriss Deby on Sunday declared a state of emergency in two eastern provinces after violent intercommunal clashes between nomadic camel herders and sedentary farmers left at least 50 dead earlier this month, reported Africa News.

According to the President’s office, the state of emergency will continue to remain for the next three months in Sila and Ouaddai regions where 50 people have died since August 9.

“From now, we will deploy military forces who are going to ensure the security of the population in the region,” Deby said. “We must disarm all the civilians who have weapons in their hands,” he said.

He even authorized the security personnel to shoot the miscreants in order to save the majority.

“If there is still fighting between Arabs and Ouaddaians… you shoot ten from each side to save the majority,” Deby said. “You have authorization.”

Eastern Chad has been facing severe violent clashes between nomadic camel herders- many from the Zaghawa ethnic group from which President Deby hails- and sedentary farmers from the Ouaddian community. Drought and population growth in the region have aggravated the conflict, while an influx of weapons from neighboring countries like Libya, the Central African Republic, and Sudan, have made it even more deadly.

Earlier this month, President Deby had described the violence as a national concern, adding that the country is witnessing a terrible phenomenon.

At that time he said the government must wage a total war against those who carry weapons and are killing people as those with guns are not even hesitating to shoot the police.

Legislative elections in Chad are set to be held by the end of the year. The elections have been postponed several times since 2015 as Deby, who came to power in 1990, continued to maintain his hold on the country.