The month was marked by the aftermath of the offensive by the Malian Armed Forces (FAMA) and the Wagner Group/Africa Corps in the northern part of the country, mainly targeting the town of Tinzaouaten on the Algerian border. This operation, planned with specific goals and limited scope, had significant international repercussions. The bombings that targeted the area after Wagner’s defeat at the end of July led to increased tensions with Algeria, which has long been critical of the Bamako government following the de facto abolition of agreements with northern armed groups.
The Algerian Air Force carried out deterrent actions against the Malian Armed Forces, with an SU-30 fighter jet taking off from Tamanrasset base after a TB2 drone from the Malian Air Force breached Algerian airspace. This incident also had diplomatic fallout, with the Algerian ambassador to the UN Security Council, Amar Bendjama, calling for sanctions against Mali. Bendjama also denounced the presence of Russian operatives at the border between the two countries, accusing them of several incursions.
Despite the pressure from FAMA and the Africa Corps, northern rebels continue to maintain operational capacity and are able to host diplomatic meetings near Tinzaouaten. In this context, a delegation from the Nigerien rebel group Patriotic Liberation Front (FPL) met with representatives of the insurgents from the Permanent Strategic Framework (CSP) to strengthen ties between the two factions. The news was confirmed by the press offices of both groups. During the meeting, they discussed matters of common interest and evaluated the possibility of signing a mutual assistance pact in the near future in case of attacks by the Alliance of Sahel States (Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger). The groups also emphasized the need to organize and defend their territories against what they describe as "ethnic cleansing" carried out by their respective governments.
In the weeks following the meeting, the FPL claimed responsibility for several attacks near Niamey, opening a second front for the military in power in Niger, who are now simultaneously facing the insurgency of the Islamic State and an internal rebellion composed of armed groups (in Niger, the Popular Front for Justice, led by the Tuareg Rhissa Ag Boula, is also active; he recently obtained a humanitarian visa from France).
In this context, the al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadist group JNIM has resumed attacks in Bamako. At dawn on Tuesday, September 17, an armed attack targeted the Malian gendarmerie school in the Faladié district and several structures at Air Base 101 near Modibo-Keïta Airport, that house Russian mercenaries from the Africa Corps (formerly Wagner Group). The attack by the al-Qaeda-linked group is further proof of the local branch’s ability to strike in the capital and the weaknesses that afflict Mali’s transitional government. The estimated toll of the attack is 100 dead and 60 wounded.
On the diplomatic front, the meeting between the Iranian ambassador to Burkina Faso, Mojtaba Faghihi, and the Burkinabé Minister of Economy, Aboubacar Nacanabo, stands out. The bilateral meeting aimed to explore potential areas of cooperation, with Iran expressing its intention to deepen relations in various sectors, from healthcare to security. This meeting is part of Iran’s new African policy, launched during Raisi’s presidency, which also envisions greater involvement in the Sahel by capitalizing on the tensions between the region’s states, the U.S., and European partners. Last summer, rumors circulated about ongoing negotiations between the Iranian regime and Niger’s transitional government for the sale of uranium, while Mali has already been the focus of intense diplomatic activity by Tehran, leading to the signing of MoUs in the mining, security, and defense sectors.
Download the September 2024 reportHead 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.