Chad: Eight dead after clashes near Abeche, Ouaddai Region, Dec. 10

Event

Eight people were killed in intercommunal clashes between farmers and pastoralists in eastern Chad Dec. 10, according to a statement by the governor of Ouaddai Region. The clashes occurred near Dourrene, located approximately 20 km (12.4 miles) east of Abeche, the capital of the Ouaddai Region.

Context

Communal and inter-ethnic clashes have intensified in the eastern regions of Chad in recent years, primarily Ouaddai and Wadi Fira, where drought, failed harvests, and a growing number of refugees have created the potential for renewed violence over water availability and arable land. Additionally, Darfur-based Sudanese militias have reportedly established alliances with Chadian ethnic groups. Ethnic tensions are increasing, and the pressure of scarce grazing lands for rural communities will likely combine with sporadic violence and tension in the region. Clashes over grazing rights are also common in the country's north. The threat of violent crime is elevated in eastern Chad, particularly near the border with Sudan, due to the presence of armed groups and the limited presence of security forces. Foreign governments have advised strict restrictions on travel after dark, traveling in a convoy outside N'Djamena, and the use of security escorts for ground movements.