N’DJAMENA: A recent outbreak of clashes between herders and farmers in southern Chad has resulted in the death of at least 10 people, according to a local governor.
The region has been plagued by recurring violence between predominantly nomadic herders and farmers, who are usually Christian or animist.
The fertile border areas shared by Chad, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic have long been a source of tension due to disputes over land. Farmers often accuse herders of allowing their cattle to trample their crops, while herders argue that they have traditional grazing rights.
Incidents of Violence in Southern Chad
The most recent incident occurred on Thursday when a 12-year-old herder led his animals onto a farmer’s peanut field, sparking a confrontation that tragically resulted in the child’s death.
In retaliation, the parents of the young herder killed nine farmers. The governor of the Madoul region, Adoum Forteye Amadou, confirmed the incident took place near the village of Bara II, located approximately 600 kilometers southeast of the capital, N’Djamena.
Amadou stated, “Five herders, the individuals responsible for the killing spree, have been apprehended, along with the murderer of the young herder.”
The clashes between herders and farmers in southern Chad highlight the deep-rooted tensions surrounding land disputes in the region. Authorities are working to address the situation and bring those responsible for the violence to justice.
