At least 33 people have been killed and several others injured following a violent clash over water between two communities in western Chad, government officials confirmed on Wednesday.
According to Chad’s public broadcaster, ONAMA, the deadly confrontation broke out on Tuesday between residents from the neighboring Bahr-El-Gazel and Hadjer-Lamis provinces after tensions flared over ownership of a shared well.
A senior government adviser, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said the fight “erupted over a well claimed by both communities, resulting in 33 deaths and numerous injuries.”
In response, several ministers, local officials, and a military contingent have been dispatched to the conflict zone to help restore order. However, sources on the ground report that tensions remain high despite the heavy security presence.
“The situation is still volatile. People are fearful, and the risk of further clashes remains,” said a local source.
A senior political leader noted that the region has a history of similar conflicts, citing deadly incidents in 1999 and 2004 that also left dozens dead.
Intercommunal violence remains a persistent challenge in Chad, particularly in rural regions where scarcity of water, land, and grazing resources often fuels violent disputes among communities.
