Chadian President Deby issues pullout threat in aftermath of Boko Haram attack on MNJTF

The President of the Republic of Chad, Mahamat Idriss Deby has threatened to pull out his troops from the Multinational Joint Task Force in response to deadly attack by the Boko Haram insurgents.

The Chadian leader said, he would not maintain his troops in the resurgence of terrorists attack, stating that Chadian troops would be pulled out.

He said, the assault will not be tolerated again, the angry Chadian President stated in a statement made to available to the Media.

According to the statement, Deby who oversees military operations at the Lake Chad border said the attack on its soldiers in Barkaram on October 27 resulted in casualties, hence, he was responding.

The press release, issued by Hassan Abdelkerim Bouyëbri, the Director General of Communication in the Presidency, quoted President Deby as contemplating Chad’s withdrawal from the MNJTF, citing “the lack of unified action against Boko Haram as the coalition appears to be losing momentum in the fight against this common enemy.”

Since arriving on October 28 at the war front, President Deby has been assessing the situation, ensuring proper burials for fallen soldiers and organizing medical care for the injured. In response to the heightened threat, he has established a local command center to lead operations against the militant group.

During his visit to the Lake Chad province, President Deby outlined several efforts aimed at countering Boko Haram, including the launch of Operation Haskanite to locate and neutralize remaining militants, reorganizing defense forces to adapt to the asymmetric warfare tactics employed by terrorist groups, and strengthening measures to secure borders and protect citizens—all while considering a withdrawal from the MNJTF.

President Deby reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the safety of Chad’s citizens, emphasizing that the nation remains dedicated to its responsibilities in the ongoing battle against terrorists.

The MNJTF is a combined force comprising military units from Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria, working together to combat the Boko Haram insurgency and other security challenges in the Lake Chad Basin region.

Established in 1994, the MNJTF initially focused on trans-border armed banditry but expanded its mandate in 2012 to include counter-terrorism operations. The task force operates under the authorization of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council and has undergone significant restructuring since its inception.