Chad
Chad has been in a state of constant instability and protracted conflict since achieving independence in 1960. This situation is due to domestic political turmoil as well as the country’s geographical proximity to active conflict zones in the region, where non-state armed groups are active (Libya, Sudan and Niger).[1] Reports state that armed violence and human rights violations continue to occur.[2] Due to this instability, Chad has moderate levels of weapons and ammunition trafficking.[3] The country is also highly contaminated with both landmines and other types of unexploded ordnance.[4]
The African Union, ECOWAS, RECSA, UNODA, DPO, SARCOM, MAG, and BICC are on the ground to help with the through-life management of ammunition in collaboration with the Chadian Ministry of Defence. Efforts have included the destruction of obsolete ammunition, the building of ammunition storage facilities, training Chadian police forces in Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM), studies on Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM) dynamics in the region, and regional train-the-trainer programmes.[5]
[1] “Getting Chad's Transition on Track.” Crisis Group, September 30, 2021. https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/central-africa/chad/getting-chads-transition-track.
[2] “World Report 2022: Chad Events of 2021.” Human Rights Watch. Accessed July 14, 2022. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2022/country-chapters/chad.
[3] “Guns in Chad.” Gun Law and Policy: Firearms and armed violence, country by country. Accessed July 14, 2022. https://www.gunpolicy.org/firearms/region/chad.
[4] Handicap International. “Chad: 30,000 Sq. Meters Cleared of Landmines.” ReliefWeb, March 11, 2019. https://reliefweb.int/report/chad/chad-30000-sq-meters-cleared-landmines.
[5] See A-MAP Database.
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Further information
Accidental explosions
Since the beginning of data collection in 1979 by the Small Arms Survey, only one accidental explosion was reported in Chad (Table 1).
Table. 1 Accidental explosions in Chad (1979-2021)
Year | Location | Owner/manager | Deaths | Injuries |
2011 | N’Djamena | State (military) | 0 | 0 |
Source: Small Arms Survey. n.d. Unplanned Explosions at Munitions Sites (UEMS). Database.
Cases of diversion
Several cases of diversion have been reported since 2000 in Chad (Table 2).
Table 2: Cases of diversion of arms, ammunition, and explosives in Chad since 2000
Year | Location | Description |
2020 | Mamdi | Up to 50 weapons, 10’000 rounds of ammunition and 4 armoured cars were stolen from an army patrol. |
2020 | Kaya | Up to 100 weapons, 100’000 rounds of ammunition and 10 armoured cars were stolen from an army patrol. |
2019 | Kaya | Up to 50 weapons, 10’000 rounds of ammunition and 4 armoured cars were stolen from an army patrol. |
2018 | Fouli | Up to 100 weapons, 100’000 rounds of ammunition and 10 armoured cars were stolen from an army patrol. |
Source: IPIS S4 Interactive Webmap. "Lake Chad Basin region Security sector stockpiles loss." Published in 2021. https://ipisresearch.be/mapping/webmapping/s4/#13.540226018970586/12.29362910650616/5.99985819996203/4/1/.
Disposal
Destruction, use, or export of ammunition as an indicator of a state’s ability to identify and decrease aging, unsafe, or surplus ammunition.
To decrease the above-mentioned risks of accidental explosions and diversion, Chad has continuously disposed of its ammunition since 2018 (Table 3).
Table 3. Disposal of tonnes of ammunition in Chad (2018-2021)
Year | Tonnes of ammunition |
2018 | 5.4 |
2019 | 7.6 |
2020 | 5 |
2021 | 6 |
Sources: MAG. “Boom! 6 Tons of Ammunition Destroyed in N'Djamena, #Chad.” Facebook, December 15, 2018. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=526199351221494. US Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement. “To Walk the Earth in Safety.” Reports published from 2019 to 2022. https://www.state.gov/to-walk-the-earth-in-safety/.
Needs
Further requirements for an effective through-life management of ammunition in the country.
No needs have been reported for Chad.[1]
[1] PoA Report 2003, Chad. Please note that PoA reports focus on SALW and not specifically on ammunition. https://smallarms.un-arm.org.
