Written by: Badr Ahmed

In a move reflecting the Chadian authorities’ intention to modernize state institutions and enhance the efficiency of the defense and security sector, the National Assembly of Chad approved new amendments to the general statute for members of the armed forces and defense and security forces, during a plenary session held on Tuesday at the Palace of Democracy in the capital, N’Djamena.

The sixteenth plenary session of the first ordinary session witnessed the discussion of a draft law amending Articles 10, 13, and 37 of Order No. 002 PRT 2023 issued on January 13, 2023, concerning the general statute for members of the armed forces, defense forces, and security forces. The draft law was discussed under expedited procedures before being approved by members of parliament after a series of deliberations and studies within the relevant committees.

N'Djamena continues to reform the defense sector through parliamentary legislation.

The session was chaired by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ali Koloto Chayemi, in the presence of the Minister of Public Security and Immigration, Ali Ahmed Agbash, who represented the Minister of the Armed Forces, Veterans and War Victims, along with the Secretary General of the Government, Rahmatou Mohamed Hotween, and a number of senior government officials and advisors.

These amendments come within the context of broader efforts by the Chadian government to redevelop the legislative system regulating the defense and security sector, in line with the requirements of institutional reform and enhancing professional performance within military and security institutions.

Observers believe that reviewing the legal texts governing the armed forces represents one of the main paths to modernizing the security sector, especially in light of the security challenges facing the Sahel and Central Africa region, and the need to develop the legal and administrative frameworks that regulate the work of the armed forces and security services.

The new amendments are also expected to contribute to strengthening governance within military institutions, clarifying some aspects related to the career path of military personnel and members of the security forces, as well as supporting the state’s efforts to raise the efficiency of security institutions and improve their performance.

In recent years, the Chadian authorities have paid increasing attention to reforming the defense and security sectors, as they are key pillars for maintaining internal stability and confronting cross-border security threats, at a time when the region is facing increasing challenges related to combating terrorism, organized crime and irregular migration.

The approval of these amendments reflects the continued efforts of the government and parliament to develop the legal environment governing the military establishment, ensuring that it keeps pace with modern security and administrative transformations, and enhances the readiness of the armed forces to carry out their duties in protecting national security and defending the interests of the state.