Chad Maintains State of Emergency as Government Combats Boko Haram

Chad extended its state of emergency by six months around the Lake Chad area as the government combats terrorist organization Boko Haram, according to AFP. Militants grow desperate as their numbers weaken, but they maintain a persistent presence in the region. The war against Islamic radicalism has displaced many Chadians, while contributing to economic weakness.

Chad extended its state of emergency by six months around the Lake Chad area as the government combats terrorist organization Boko Haram, according to AFP. Militants grow desperate as their numbers weaken, but they maintain a persistent presence in the region. The war against Islamic radicalism has displaced many Chadians, while contributing to economic weakness.

Chad is one among many African nations on the frontlines pushing Islamic militancy further into obscurity. Leaders across the continent have increased campaign efforts against Boko Haram, and even though militant strongholds have been severely weakened, numerous attacks occur throughout Chad and other African countries.

Chadian authorities are unable to stop the organization, as militants go into hiding across borders and carry out attacks using young girls as suicide bombers. The violence will continue as regions across Africa and the Middle East destabilize, and the economic malaise spreading throughout emerging markets certainly isn’t helping matters. Some governments rely on Western military and financial support, but overseas assistance does not diminish the strain counterterrorism places on African economies.

Various economies throughout the continent have suffered through lower commodity and energy prices, and leaders do not have the funds necessary to commence large-scale military operations. Chad is one of those countries struggling through a turbulent world economy, and the terrorism factor has hampered expansion and prevented further foreign investment.

Moreover, Chad is dealing with the effects of a chaotic Libya in the north, where ISIS and Al-Qaeda have taken advantage of a political vacuum stemming from the overthrow of President Muammar Gaddafi.

Another factor halting Chad’s development is President Idriss Déby, whose 26-year reign perpetuated stale ideas and policies that failed to ignite economic ingenuity. Chad is an oil-bearing state, but the president never used oil revenue to enhance the well-being of his countrymen, as most of the wealth remains concentrated among the top echelon of society and the business community.

Déby won his most recent election in April 2016, his fifth election term, and part of his victory is attributed to his ongoing fight against Boko Haram and the perceived security he brings to Chad. Déby, however, has ruled through fraud and intimidation, with corruption and abuse of power cementing the political establishment, notes Combating Counterterrorism Center.

In addition, Chad has followed the trend of some African leaders staying beyond their designated term limits, with Déby removing term constraints from the constitution in 2005. Opposition groups, however, are growing in numbers as many Chadians are dissatisfied with Déby’s ongoing leadership, especially as young people are unable to find viable job opportunities.