Chad’s President Mahamat Idriss Déby has warned of what he described as “internal and external manipulation” following a wave of intercommunal violence in the country’s east.

The clashes, which lasted for nearly a week, have left at least 42 people dead according to the government, while local sources estimate the toll could be as high as 60.

Déby pointed to the spillover effects of the conflict in neighbouring Sudan as a contributing factor, underscoring rising instability along Chad’s eastern border. He also stressed the urgent need to disarm civilians to restore lasting peace.

Speaking on the situation, Abdelkerim Koundougouni, leader of the political movement “Le Pacte des Bâtisseurs”, said the violence reflects deeper structural challenges.

“What we are seeing is not just spontaneous clashes, but tensions that have been building over time, worsened by external pressures and weak local governance. Disarmament is necessary, but it must go hand in hand with dialogue and long-term solutions to prevent recurring violence,” he said.

–ChannelAfrica–