Chad
Burkina Faso is increasingly plagued by instability and internal tensions. The month began with reports of the first defections from the pro-government militias, the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland, and ended with the resurgence of tensions between the armed forces and the transitional government. Despite the support of Russian mercenaries and a significant increase in military spending over the past year, Burkinabé security forces have not yet managed to reverse the conflict’s momentum. The massacre in Mansila at the beginning of the month further highlighted this grim reality. Following the killing of a hundred servicemen stationed at the Mansila outpost, the government took precautionary measures by imposing a new crackdown on French media, suspending broadcasts of France24 for a month. However, this censorship failed to quell the discontent, with Burkinabé barracks once again in revolt, accusing the government of incompetence at best and corruption at worst. In response, President Traoré has sought assistance from allies in Russia and Mali. A mixed contingent of Malian troops and members of the Africa Corps arrived in Ouagadougou at the end of the month to support the transitional government, with President Traoré currently in a secret and safe location. Simultaneously, the government of Niger is on a collision course with neighboring countries. Following last month’s Chinese mediation, tensions between Niamey and PortoNovo regarding the Niger-Benin pipeline have returned. Beninese security forces arrested five Nigerien citizens, later revealed to be members of Niamey’s security forces, accused of illegally entering the north of Benin to conduct sabotage acts against the infrastructure. Legal proceedings against the remaining prisoners continue despite the release of two detainees. Meanwhile, to galvanize public opinion – which is increasingly critical of the government’s economic management – the Niamey government has revoked the license granted to the French parastatal Orano for managing the mega-mining plant in Imouraren. This long-anticipated measure, officially justified by the Nigerien government due to plant production delays, has sparked controversy. Orano warns against the negative effects on the country and region’s economic development resulting from the plant’s confiscation. At the same time, the junta celebrates the action “as a defense of the people’s will”.
Download the June 2024 report
| Head of state | Mahamat Déby Itno |
| Head of Government | Allamaye Halina |
| Institutional Form | Presidential Republic government under military council |
| Capital | N'Djamena |
| Legislative Power | Unicameral, National Assembly (188 Members) |
| Judicial Power | Supreme Court (composed of a chief judge, 3 chamber Presidents and 12 judges or councillors; divided into 3 chambers); Constitutional Council (consisting of 3 judges and 6 jurists) |
| Ambassador to Italy | Mariam Al Moussa (Ambassador to Germany, also responsible for Italy) |
| Total Area kmq | 1.284.000 km2 |
| Land | 1.259.200 km2 |
| Weather | Tropical in the south, desertic in the north |
| Natural resources | oil, uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad), gold, limestone, sand and gravel, salt |
| Economic summary | Oil provides about 60% of export gains, while cotton, livestock and Arabic gum provide most of the non-oil export revenue. The Chadian economy is also, based on foreign assistance and foreign capital for most public and private sector investments, but investments are difficult due to limited infrastructure and the lack of skilled workers |
| GDP | $11.78 billion (Dec. 2021) |
| Pro-capite GDP (Purchasing power parity) | $605 (Dec. 2021) |
| Exports | $1.5 billion (2020) |
| Export partner | China 24.4%, France 19.4%, Germany 15.9%, UAE 14.4%, Chinese Taipei 13% (2020) |
| Imports | $1.01 billion (2020) |
| Import partner | China 29.4%, UAE 18.4%, India 6.11%, Türkiye 4.1% (2020) |
| Trade With Italy | $ 9,5 million (2021) |
| Population | 17.963.211 |
| Population Growth | +3,09% (2022 est.) |
| Ethnicities | Sara (Ngambaye/Sara/ Madjingaye/Mbaye) 30.5%, Kanembu/Bornu/Buduma 9.8%, Arab 9.7%, Wadai/Maba/Masalit/Mimi 7%, Gorane 5.8%, Masa/Musseye/Musgum 4.9%, many others (2014-15 est.) |
| Languages | French, Arabic, Sara (in the south), more than 120 different languages and dialects |
| Religions | Muslims 52%, Christians 44% |
| Urbanization | 24,1% (2022 est.) |
| Literacy | 22,3% |
Independent since 1960, the Republic of Chad is located in North-Central Africa. It borders with Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, Niger, Nigeria and Cameroon to the west, and the Central African Republic to the south. The population is estimated to be 18 million, divided into 20 ethnic groups. The official language is French.
Thanks to its strategic position and the capabilities of its armed forces, Chad is a key country for the stability of the Broader Mediterranean region. For these reasons, it has become a privileged partner for security operations in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions.
Chad’s economy is still mainly focused on traditional agriculture, with 80 percent of the population depending on subsistence farming for a living. Although the country exports oil, gold, oil seeds and cotton, these activities do not seem to be sufficient to promote adequate economic development. While trade volumes between Chad and Italy are low ($ 9,5 million in 2021), overall relations between the two countries are quite strong and characterised by structured partnerships, especially in the defence and development sectors. In 2017, Italy and Chad signed a defence cooperation agreement aimed at supporting Chadian security forces in the fight against jihadist terrorism in the Lake Chad and Sahel regions. Together with Niger, Chad is also a strategic priority partner for the Italian Development Cooperation agency, which promotes relief projects in the country, focussing mainly on the prevention and treatment of acute malnutrition and on the provision of food assistance and health care, especially to children.
