Chad’s interim President Mahamat Idriss Deby has warned of a possible withdrawal from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), citing the coalition’s shortcomings in addressing insurgent violence in the Lake Chad region. Deby’s remarks came on Sunday during a visit to western Chad, where suspected Boko Haram militants killed around 40 Chadian soldiers in an attack late October.
The MNJTF, established to combat armed insurgencies, comprises troops from Chad, Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon. Deby expressed disappointment in the lack of effective coordination, highlighting divisions and limited joint operations that, in his words, leave the coalition in “a slump” despite its original mission of intelligence sharing and unified action.
Deby announced the launch of a new operation against the attackers and questioned Chad’s future in the MNJTF, noting, “The lack of joint efforts against the common enemy…is unfortunately always observed on the ground.” If Chad withdraws, it would mark a significant setback for the MNJTF, as Chadian forces are regarded as among the most effective in the region.
The Lake Chad basin has suffered recurrent attacks from insurgent groups, including Boko Haram and Islamic State affiliates, which have destabilized communities and heightened security challenges since Boko Haram’s emergence in Nigeria in 2009. Officials from Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon have yet to respond to Chad’s statements.
