Intercommunal violence in eastern Chad’s Ouaddai province has resulted in at least 20 deaths and 16 injuries over almost a week.
Fourteen parliamentarians from the province, mostly from the ruling party, strongly condemned the “vile acts” and urged authorities to enhance safety.
The government delegate, Ismael Yamouda Djorbo, called the violence “terrorism.”
The unrest reportedly began last Tuesday when two armed Zaghawa youths stole a motorcycle from an Ouaddai community member, leading to an altercation that killed eight, including the thieves.
The conflict escalated Saturday with an attack by Zaghawa that killed at least 12 Ouaddai residents.
Lawmaker Yacine Abdraman Sakine denounced the impunity for perpetrators and criticized authorities’ silence.
Eastern Chad, bordering Sudan, has faced decades of inter-community conflicts, primarily between indigenous Ouaddai farmers and Arab or Zaghawa herders.
This latest massacre follows another in southwest Chad a month prior, where 42 died over grazing disputes.
The Chadian Human Rights Commission lamented the Ouaddai massacre, urging government action to end the unrest.
