Chad’s President Mahamat Idriss Deby has announced an imminent withdrawal of his country from regional security coalition, Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) on account of ineffectiveness in countering insurgent threats in the Lake Chad region.
Along the Lake Chad basin are Chad, Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon, each contributing troops to the MNJTF, which was formed to counter insurgent activity across these national borders.
The announcement comes after a recent attack which occurred in late October, claiming the lives of around 40 Chadian soldiers.
The incident, according to reports was carried out by suspected Boko Haram militants who have marked a number of territories along the region.
Deby emphasized his disappointment in the level of coordination within the force, pointing to “a lack of joint efforts against the common enemy.” He argued that the force, intended to streamline operations and intelligence-sharing, has instead “seemed to be in a slump.”
Analysts say that the potential withdrawal of Chad from the regional security body would be a major setback for the MNJTF as it loses a member state which is well known for its well-trained and resilient military.
Fellow member states, Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon have not commented on Deby’s statement.
