Written by: Qusay Ahmed

At least 42 people were killed and 10 others injured in violent clashes that broke out between two families in the east Chad Due to a dispute over water resources, in an incident reflecting escalating tensions over limited resources amid a large influx of Sudanese refugees into the country.

Deadly clashes erupt in Chad over water.

Chadian Deputy Prime Minister Limane Mohamed said the clashes occurred on Saturday in the village of Igoti in the Wadi Fira region, near the border with Sudan, noting that the situation was now under control after the army intervened to contain the violence and prevent it from escalating.

The Chadian official explained in press statements that the authorities have already begun a local mediation process between the conflicting parties in the village, in addition to launching legal proceedings to determine criminal responsibilities and hold those involved in the violence accountable.

These events come at a time when eastern Chad is facing increasing pressure as a result of the influx of hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which is intensifying competition for basic resources, primarily water and land.

Resource-related clashes are a recurring phenomenon in Chad, where the country periodically experiences deadly conflicts between farmers and herders. Last year, similar confrontations in the southwest of the country resulted in the deaths of 42 people and the burning of several homes, reflecting the fragile security situation in rural areas.

The Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that the government will take all necessary measures to prevent the deterioration of the security situation in the border areas, stressing the importance of maintaining stability in light of the increasing regional challenges.

In a related context, the Chadian authorities announced last February the closure of their borders with Sudan until further notice, in a move aimed at limiting the spillover of the Sudanese war’s repercussions into Chad, especially after several cases of fighters belonging to the warring parties in Sudan crossing the border were recorded.

Observers believe that the continuation of the conflict in Sudan, along with the weak infrastructure in the border areas, may contribute to worsening the humanitarian and security situation in Chad, which calls for urgent international support to avoid further escalation.