The Joint Disarmament Commission in Chad announced its success in seizing 3,094 firearms between May 2023 and July 2024, as part of its efforts to combat the flow of weapons from neighboring countries, including Libya.
General Tahir Yusuf Bui, the Authority’s coordinator, confirmed in a statement to local media on Sunday that the Authority faces great challenges due to the influx of weapons from neighboring countries witnessing conflicts, which calls for the need to strengthen disarmament efforts.
The general explained that the seized weapons were found in N’Djamena and in the provinces, and along the borders with neighboring countries such as Libya, Sudan, and the Central African Republic.
Boye pointed out that these illegally owned weapons fuel sectarian conflicts in Chad, but he stressed that these conflicts have witnessed a noticeable decline thanks to the efforts of the Commission, calling on civilians to get rid of illegal weapons.
It is noteworthy that the Joint Disarmament Commission in Chad was established in 2021 after the death of President Idriss Deby, with the aim of disarming civilians and enhancing stability in the country. Disarmament is considered an essential part of the government’s program to ensure the security of citizens and reduce violence.
In a related context, the reinforced 128th Brigade in Libya announced the arrest of a criminal gang consisting of 12 people from Sudan and Chad, specializing in transporting and smuggling weapons across the common borders between Libya and neighboring countries. They were arrested in the Tamsa region in southern Libya, where all weapons were confiscated. And the ammunition they had in their possession.
The former UN envoy, Abdullah Batili, had stated that Libya had become a “supermarket” for weapons, noting that these weapons were used in internal political conflicts and trade with neighboring countries.
Rabat hosts “African Lion 2024” maneuvers with wide international participation