Chad’s transitional military council president, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, has called for the establishment of a “new regional security pact” and the creation of a joint force to confront the terrorist threat in the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin.
The appeal was made during his participation in an international conference on countering extremism in Rome. Déby Itno said Chad stands “on the front lines” of the fight, highlighting the involvement of Chadian forces in operations against extremist groups including al-Qaeda, the Islamic State group, and Boko Haram.
He urged tangible financial and logistical support for countries in the region, stressing that counterterrorism efforts cannot be confined to security measures alone, but must also encompass development, education, and improved governance.
Déby Itno also announced the “Chad 2030” initiative, which includes plans to convene an international roundtable in Abu Dhabi next November aimed at mobilizing the resources needed to support this comprehensive strategy.
