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Chad Prioritizes Counterterrorism Efforts Amid Financial Crisis
The government of Chad has continued to prioritize counterterrorism efforts at the highest level, despite being hindered by a worsening financial crisis that has limited its ability to meet even basic financial commitments. Despite these challenges, Chad has engaged in major external military operations in neighboring countries to prevent infiltration by terrorist groups.
Countering Violent Extremism
The government of Chad remains concerned about the threat of violent extremism within its borders and has identified economic opportunity as a primary driver of extremist recruitment. It has also been monitoring the influence of Salafist imams and funding from Middle Eastern charities and states.
- In 2016, a low number of Chadians joined terrorist organizations, with most individuals coming from the Boudouma ethnic group in the North of Lake Chad.
- The government believes that familial or economic ties to current members of the groups provided the strongest incentive to join.
Countering Money Laundering and Financial Crimes
Chad has implemented measures to prevent money laundering and financial crimes, including requiring Know Your Customer rules for both foreign and domestic transactions. The country’s Anti-Money Laundering Authority (ANIF) is responsible for investigating suspicious transactions and referring cases to the Attorney General’s office for further action.
International and Regional Cooperation
Chad has remained active in international and regional efforts to combat terrorism, including:
- Chairing the African Union
- Holding the G-5 Sahel presidency
- Cooperating with neighboring countries, including Cameroon, Nigeria, and Sudan, on operations to counter the threat of terrorist groups
Additionally, Chad has hosted French military operations in its territory and signed a memorandum with Algeria to strengthen cooperation in security areas.
Conclusion
Despite facing significant financial challenges, Chad remains committed to prioritizing counterterrorism efforts and combating violent extremism within its borders. The country’s international and regional cooperation efforts will continue to play a critical role in preventing the spread of terrorism in the region.