CHAD TAKES STEPS TO PREVENT FINANCIAL CRIME AND BOOST REGIONAL STABILITY
Improving Security Infrastructure in the Lake Chad Region
As the threat of terrorism and organized crime looms large over the Lake Chad region, the Chadian government and the European Union are joining forces to increase security and border controls on the lake and its surrounding rivers. A crucial step towards boosting regional stability and economic prosperity for local residents is the improvement of security infrastructure, thanks to a project funded by the EU’s Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP).
Enhancing Patrols on Lake Chad
The FRONTCHAD initiative has contributed significantly to enhancing patrols on Lake Chad and the Chari-Logone rivers. The project has led to:
- The establishment of a new station of the Chadian water police agency Compagnie de la Sécurité Nautique (CSN) on the lake’s banks
- Police officers receiving training to carry out river patrols effectively
- Strengthening of the CSN’s staffing with over 333 police officers and 13 new small boats, as well as eight border posts
Fighting Terrorism and Organized Crime
The region is plagued by terrorism, and without strong control of cross-border trade, economic development is impossible. By increasing river patrols capacities and security infrastructure, the Chadian government and the EU are addressing serious cross-border problems, such as:
- Illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons
- Drug trafficking which finances terrorist activities
A recent seizure of cannabis and tramadol by the CSN demonstrates how effectively the project contributes to fighting organized crime.
A More Stable and Prosperous Lake Chad Region
The Lake Chad region has been one of the areas affected by the terrorist group Boko Haram, with porous borders between Chad, Cameroon, Niger, and Nigeria. To combat criminal and terrorist activities, the Chadian government had previously forbidden fishing activities on the lake and its surrounding rivers.
However, thanks to better trained and equipped CSN officers, as well as awareness campaigns for local residents, fishing and market gardening activities have resumed, contributing to a more stable and prosperous Lake Chad region.