Chad Supports War on Sudan in the East While Complaining of Neighbouring Nations’ Inaction in the West

Sudanhorizon – Othman Siddiq

The Sudanese authorities have filed an official complaint with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. On Monday, the Sudan News Agency reported that the African Commission accepted Sudan’s complaint against Chad, submitted by the Sudanese government on November 1.
The Sudanese government accuses Chad of supporting the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia in its war against Sudan. According to the complaint, Chad is allegedly supplying weapons, drones, and equipment to the militia through its airports, specifically Um Jars Airport, with supplies originating from Sharjah Airport in the UAE to Darfur.
The Minister of Justice indicated that several international bodies and foreign organizations have confirmed Chad’s involvement in supporting the rebellion and that ample documents and evidence support prosecuting Chad internationally.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights is a quasi-judicial body that allows victims of human rights abuses in Africa to bring claims against the responsible states. Complaints may be filed under the African Charter, to which Chad is a signatory, as referenced by Sudan.

Joint Task Force
This announcement comes as Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby declared that his country would withdraw from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) under the Lake Chad Basin Commission, which includes around 11,000 soldiers. Déby expressed disappointment in the regional task force’s slow response to Boko Haram’s attacks on Chadian soldiers, as announced in a statement aired on Chadian state television on Monday. The African Union authorized the force’s operations in February 2015 to protect civilians affected by terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin.
The Chadian government informed the task force of its withdrawal following last week’s attack on its forces on Bakaram Island near the Nigerian border, expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of immediate support from Cameroon, Benin, Niger, and Nigeria.

Civilian Casualties
The announcement of Chad’s withdrawal followed accusations by local fishermen and militias in Nigeria, claiming that Chad’s operations against Boko Haram, led by President Mahamat Déby, had killed dozens of fishermen. They reported that bombs dropped by a Chadian military fighter jet on Tilma Island killed many fishermen. Abubakar Gamandi, head of the Borno Fishermen’s Association, confirmed that many fishermen lost their lives in the Chadian air raid.
Aerial images released by the Chadian presidency showed canoes being bombed and people jumping into the water to escape, along with fires in the forests. The coordinates displayed indicated that these bombings occurred on the Chad-Nigeria border on Wednesday, October 30.

Internal Challenges
Observers note that these recent developments highlight the internal challenges Chad faces, including security and political instability. Recent actions by both Bangui and N’Djamena to coordinate border security indicate efforts to ensure safety for people and property along the 1,200-kilometer border.
According to “A-Bangui,” the President of Niger recently received a high-level Chadian delegation led by the Foreign Minister, serving as a special envoy of the Chadian president, to enhance bilateral cooperation for mutual security and stability.

Late Awakening
This belated realization by Chad regarding the importance of border security raises legitimate questions. Despite presenting itself as a positive step toward regional stability, it begs the question: why has Chad not secured its own borders to prevent the flow of weapons and mercenaries through its territory, fueling the RSF’s rebellion against Sudan?
Chad, more than any other nation, is aware of the RSF’s condemnation by many international organizations and agencies, as the international community has increasingly exposed the crimes committed by the Dagalo family’s militia against humanity through diplomatic efforts and investigative journalism.
Yet, Chad has not yet decided to close its border with Sudan to prevent the spread of violence and destruction into its eastern neighbour. Have they not heard the words of the sage Abu Al-Aswad Al-Du’ali:
Do not forbid others from a wrong and commit it yourself;
It is a disgrace upon you if you do.
Start with yourself and prevent it from straying;
Only then are you wise.