25 killed in intercommunal clashes in central Chad

By Peter Kum and Rodrigue Forku

YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AA) - Intercommunal violence over a land dispute has left 25 people dead in central Chad, authorities said on Monday.

The incident took place in the Chadian province of Batha over the weekend, Oumar Toubaye Sargoulo, a local administrative official, told Anadolu Agency.

“On Saturday, we unfortunately lost 25 of our compatriots in a conflict linked to a dispute between two communities over a land dispute in Achiguek locality of Assinet sub-prefecture," he said. "Security forces were deployed in the town to restore order. The minister of territorial administration, Gen. Mahamat Ismaël Chaibo, visited Batha on Sunday. I can reassure you that calm has returned."

In a statement, Cherif Mahamat Zène, the government spokesman, said the perpetrators will be brought to justice.

It is necessary "to identify all persons or authorities whatsoever involved, directly or indirectly, in these conflicts and try them in competent courts," he said.

The Chadian government has also ordered the local authorities to restore disarmament commissions to recover all the arms illegally held by civilians.

"A search operation is underway. Weapons were seized and people arrested. Justice will do its job," Gen. Chaibo said.

A landlocked country in central Africa, bordering Libya to the north and Sudan to the east, Chad has been witnessing bloody intercommunal conflicts between Arab and non-Arab communities. These communities often clash for land and traditional and political power.