Source : Sahel weather September 2024 

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Chad is on the brink of numerous diplomatic deals. Visiting Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby met with Chinese President Xi Ping. It emerged from their discussions that relations between China and Chad are now a strategic partnership.

In the same vein, Chadian Head of State Mahamat Idriss Déby paid a visit to Hungary, to meet Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The reason: Budapest's intention to send two hundred soldiers to Chad in the near future. While the collaboration may seem surprising, given the lack of historical ties between Hungary and Africa, for Orban, “ Chad is a key country in the fight against immigration ” and terrorism. In 2023, Hungary intensified its relations with Chad. In this context, reports Le Monde, it has opened a humanitarian aid center and a diplomatic representation, in addition to signing agreements in agriculture and education. According to Jeune Afrique, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno is due to visit France on October 4 and 5 to take part in the Summit of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), and may also meet the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, as well as the President of Cameroon, Paul Biya.

At the same time, several media outlets reported the redeployment of American troops on Chadian soil. The authorities were quick to refute the information. “ The government categorically denies the information relayed by certain media, reporting an alleged agreement allowing the return of American special forces to Chad ”, says a press release signed by government spokesman Abderaman Koullamalah. As a reminder, the American troops packed their bags at N'Djamena's request, in April 2024.

In addition, the catastrophic humanitarian crisis currently underway in neighboring Sudan could have an even greater impact on Chad. According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Chad, the number of refugees and returnees could reach 910,000 by the end of 2024. At the plenary session of the Sommet de l'Avenir, a prelude to the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Chad's Prime Minister Allah Maye Halina urged greater international cooperation in the face of the security crisis affecting the Sahel in particular and Africa in general. “ The impacts of climate change are not theoretical for us, they are a daily reality. (...) The Sahel is today at the crossroads of climate, security and economic issues, and this requires a concerted and inclusive response from the international community ”, he declared. In response to the floods that recently affected the Sahel, the European Union (EU) announced the mobilization of 5.4 million euros in support of the six countries most affected, namely Mali, Niger, Burkina-Faso, Cameroon, Nigeria and Chad. A latest report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha) in Chad put the death toll at 503, with over 1.7 million people affected.

Internally, the disappearance of the secretary general of the Parti Socialiste sans Frontières (PSF), Robert Gam, has highlighted the accusations of authoritarianism to which Déby's regime is often subjected. According to the opposition party, this “kidnapping” is part of a pattern of “harassment and intimidation” of which Robert Gam has been a particular victim since the death of opponent Yaya Dillo, killed two months before the May 6, 2024 presidential election. “ We fear that our comrade Gam will not be found alive, or that his freedom will not be restored immediately. (...) We want the authorities to assume their responsibilities ”, warned Néatobeye Bidi Valentin, national president of the PAP/JS party, a member of GCAP (Groupe de concertation des acteurs politiques).