Communal Clash In Chad Leaves 55 Dead, 44 Injured

Fifty-five persons have been reported dead and 44 others wounded following communal clashes on Tuesday, April 13, in the Chadian town of Mouraye (Salamat), situated 80 kilometres from Am-Timan.

According to eye-witness accounts, three villages were razed and materials estimated at several hundred million FCFA were damaged.

While there are fears and tension among inhabitants, Mahamat Issa, a Colonel and the spokesperson of Chadian National and Nomad Guard (GNNT), has been reassuring the people.

“We have dispersed all the gatherings since yesterday morning and we are helping the population by carrying water to them to avoid any meeting between the belligerent sides. Thus, all is under control,” he said .

Trouble started following the death of a 21-year old man whose body was discovered 30 kilometres to the Northeast of Am-Timan on Monday, April 12.

“Early in the morning of Tuesday, April 13, the populations of the neighbouring village of Ambaride Anguereb Kibete decided to avenge the death of their son. Very rapidly, the conflict took the turn into a communal confrontation,” a local source that opted for anonymity for fear of reprisals, told HumAngle in Am-Timan.

Local sources said the crisis could have escalated if not for the timely intervention of the Chadian Army. 

“We are very gladdened by the promptitude with which the Chadian national army responded in order to restore peace within the two communities,” another source in N’Djamena, the Chadian capital said. 

“If they had not sent in the national guard to intervene, the death toll would surely have been much higher than the 55 people who died in the clashes.”