Chadian security forces have arrested a soldier among dozens of personnel suspected of collaborating with jihadist groups like Boko Haram in a major security crackdown aimed at restoring national stability.
The arrest of the soldier is part of Operation Haskinate, a nationwide operation targeting those believed to be working against Chad’s security interests. The operation has exposed a troubling link between some members of Chad’s security apparatus and the deadly extremist group Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), better known as Boko Haram.
Shocking Allegiance to Jihadist Ideals
The soldier in question, who was apprehended in Chad’s Lac Province, has made disturbing claims during an interrogation. According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad area, the detainee declared allegiance to Boko Haram and voiced strong support for jihadist beliefs. In his interrogation, the soldier expressed radical views, including a call for Chadian Muslims to rise up against “unbelievers.”
“Power belongs to Allah and Muslims,” the detainee reportedly said, reinforcing his jihadist ideology. He also claimed the Zaghawa ethnic group, led by Chad’s President Mahamat Idriss Déby, “does not follow the Quran properly” and asserted that the Sara ethnic group, which is predominantly Christian, has no legitimate role in the country.
Makama shared the chilling statements on social media, warning of the growing influence of extremist ideologies within Chad’s security forces. The soldier’s declaration of seeking Shahada, or martyrdom, signals the deepening entanglement of ethnic and religious tensions with terrorist ideologies in the region.
A Growing Threat in Chad’s Lac Province
Chad has long been a target for insurgent groups, particularly Boko Haram and its breakaway faction Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP). These groups have terrorized civilians, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin area, which includes parts of Chad, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Niger.
The involvement of Chadian soldiers in such activities reflects the ongoing challenges Chad faces in its fight against extremism. Despite significant losses, Boko Haram continues to operate in the region, with ISWAP growing in power after the death of the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, in 2021.
Ethnic Tensions Fuel Security Issues
The detained soldier is reportedly from the Guran ethnic group, known for its historical opposition to the current regime. This ethnic group has had tensions with the Zaghawa tribe, a dominant group within the Chadian military and political elite. These historical disputes have further complicated Chad’s security dynamics, with the Guran group aligning with former leaders like Hissène Habré, adding layers of conflict that are difficult to resolve.
President Mahamat Idriss Déby, the current leader of Chad, is from the Zaghawa tribe, which has led to heightened distrust and division within the country’s military ranks. These ethnic divisions have played a significant role in the rising insurgency and instability within Chad’s borders.
Intelligence and Infiltration: The Threat From Within
The operation in Lac Province has underscored a growing concern: that insurgent groups may be infiltrating Chad’s military forces. As Makama reported, the soldier’s comments about global jihadist networks, spanning countries like Saudi Arabia, Palestine, and Chad, indicate the international reach of these groups and the level of radicalization that may be present within the ranks of Chadian security forces.
The detainee’s call for unity among Chadian Muslims, paired with his advocacy for fighting “in a religious context,” points to the broader ideological threat facing the country. While he denied any immediate plans for war, the rhetoric coming from within the security apparatus is a cause for alarm.
Operation Haskinate: A Crackdown on Security Corruption
The Chadian government’s response to these revelations has been swift and decisive. Operation Haskinate is designed to address the internal threat posed by individuals within the security forces who may be aiding insurgents. The crackdown aims to root out corruption and betrayal within Chad’s military, ensuring that soldiers who pledge allegiance to terrorist groups face harsh penalties.
Chad has faced significant security challenges in recent years, especially in its fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP. The country has made substantial contributions to regional counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel, collaborating with neighboring nations like Niger and Nigeria to combat these insurgencies. However, the internal threat of radicalized security personnel poses a unique challenge, one that the government is now determined to address head-on.
Chad’s Regional Role in the Fight Against Terrorism
Chad’s involvement in regional counterterrorism operations has been vital. The country has been at the forefront of military operations against Boko Haram, supporting the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) alongside Nigeria, Cameroon, and Niger. However, the rising influence of jihadist groups within Chad’s military underscores the difficulty of these operations and the importance of maintaining internal discipline.
