President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno of Chad has signaled a possible withdrawal of Chadian troops from the Multinational Joint Task Force MNJTF in response to a recent Boko Haram attack.
A statement obtained by the media, says President Deby oversees military operations at the Lake Chad border following an assault on a Chadian National Army position in Barkaram on October 27, 2024. The attack resulted in casualties among the soldiers, prompting an immediate assessment and response from the President.
A press release issued by the Director General of Communication in the Presidency Hassan Abdelkerim Bouyëbri, quoted President Deby as contemplating Chad’s withdrawal from the MNJTF, citing “the lack of unified action against Boko Haram as the coalition appears to be losing momentum in the fight against this common enemy”
Since arriving on October 28 at the war front, President Deby has been assessing the situation, ensuring proper burials for fallen soldiers and organizing medical care for the injured. In response to the heightened threat, he has established a local command center to lead operations against the militant group
During his visit to the Lake Chad province, President Deby outlined several efforts aimed at countering Boko Haram, including the launch of Operation Haskanite to locate and kill remaining militants, reorganizing defence forces to adapt to the asymmetric warfare tactics employed by terrorist groups, and strengthening measures to secure borders and protect citizens—all while considering a withdrawal from the MNJTF
President Deby reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the safety of Chad’s citizens, emphasizing that the nation remains dedicated to its responsibilities in the ongoing battle against terrorism.
The MNJTF, a combined force comprising military units from Benin Republic, Cameroon, Chad, Niger Republic, and Nigeria, is working together to combat the Boko Haram insurgency and other security challenges in the Lake Chad Basin region. Established in 1994, the MNJTF initially focused on trans-border armed banditry but expanded its mandate in 2012 to include counter-terrorism operations. The task force operates under the authorization of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council and has undergone significant restructuring since its inception.
(Editor: Okechukwu Eze)
