Chad: Clashes between gold miners in Iri Bourgouri (Tibesti) Dec. 25

Event

On Monday, December 25, clashes reportedly erupted between local gold miners and gold miners from other parts of Chad in Iri Bourgouri, Tibesti region (north). Violence broke out between members of the Zaghawa and Goranes Mourdia ethnic groups following an earlier fight between members of the two communities that left a Zaghawa dead. At least 15 people were killed in the fighting.

Context

The discovery of gold deposits in the region in 2012 has increased tensions between prospectors arriving from other parts of the country and the broader Sahel and local communities. Clashes are regularly reported in the area between residents and miners.

Advice

Some governments advise their nationals against travel to the Tibesti region, as well as the Borkou and Ennedi regions (north), due to prevalent illegal trafficking in the area and to regular jihadists incursions.

On a separate note, due to the high terrorist threat, report any suspicious objects or behavior to the relevant authorities and remain vigilant at all times, especially when visiting sites deemed particularly likely to be targeted in an attack (e.g., public transportation, train stations, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, festivals, etc.). For these and other security reasons, many Western governments advise against all travel to areas near the borders with Niger, Libya, Sudan, Central African Republic, Cameroon, and Nigeria, and the Lake Chad region, as well as nonessential travel to the rest of the country, including N'Djamena. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel to or within the country.