Chad has firmly rejected Niger’s accusation that it carried out a drone strike in northern Niger, calling instead for an independent international investigation and demanding that Niamey publish the evidence behind its claims.
In a statement on October 26, the Niger government said that a drone attacked the Emi Lulu area of the Agadez Region on 24 October, killing two civilians, injuring others and damaging vehicles. It alleged that the drone was launched from Chadian territory “with the support of a foreign power, France”.
Niger described the incident as an “act of aggression” and a violation of its sovereignty, the UN Charter and the African Union’s founding principles, and had summoned Chad’s ambassador.
Meanwhile, Chad responded on October 27, through Government Spokesperson and Communications Minister Gassim Chérif Mahamat, who said N’Djamena had “in no way ordered, conducted, or supported any aerial military operation from its territory against Niger.”
He also denied that Chad had assisted any foreign power in a hostile action or allowed mercenaries to use Chadian soil to attack Niger’s population and infrastructure, and called the allegations baseless and asked Niger to make public the technical and material proof on which they rested.
The dispute has deepened already strained relations between the Sahel neighbors. Niger has previously accused Chad of involvement in an alleged coup attempt and of backing armed rebel activity near their border, allegations Chad has rejected.
