By Djinodji SOLMENGAR Rodrigue
President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno has suspended a military commander and dismissed three local officials following tensions over access to water and grazing land in Torboul, Ennedi Ouest Province.
The President made the announcement on Saturday, 7 November, during a security tour across several provinces. He also ordered measures to prevent further clashes between rival groups.
Military commander suspended, three officials dismissed
Shortly after arriving in Torboul, the President met military commanders and government representatives. They discussed a dispute that threatened to escalate into violent clashes.
General Hamoda Mahamat Béchir, commander of Defence Zone No. 8 in Ennedi Est, lost his position over alleged failures to implement orders to disarm the opposing groups.
His deputy will serve as interim commander.
The President also dismissed the prefects of Torboul and Mourtcha, as well as the deputy prefect of Am-Djirémé.
He instructed General Tahir Erda Tahiro, Director General of the State Institutional Security Services (DGSSIE), to begin disarming civilians in the affected area immediately.
Addressing military and administrative officials, Déby Itno stressed the need for loyalty to state institutions.
“Here, you serve the state and obey the orders of your hierarchy, not your community. The state is impartial,” he said.
President rejects restrictions on water access
The Head of State later met traditional leaders from Ennedi Ouest to address the dispute.
After hearing the different parties, he reaffirmed that no community or individual could claim exclusive rights over water and grazing resources.
“The land and water belong to the state. No livestock breeder has the right to prevent another from accessing these resources,” he declared.
He called for an immediate end to the tensions.
Government given three months to build water facilities
To address the dispute, the President instructed the Minister of Water and Energy to build livestock watering facilities in the contested area within three months.
The Minister of Security will then deploy nomadic guards to ensure equal access to the new facilities.
The Minister of Water and Energy will also issue an order banning livestock breeders in Ennedi Ouest from using the traditional water-storage system known as “Guirbé” once the new boreholes become operational.
Concluding his meeting with traditional leaders, Mahamat Deby reaffirmed his commitment to governing under national law.
“I am the President of all Chadians. I will govern according to the laws of the Republic. Anyone who causes trouble will find me standing in their way,” he warned.