Chad receives military equipment from UAE aimed at fighting terrorism

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
6 Aug 2023 21:17
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The United Arab Emirates and Chad signed a military cooperation agreement last year alongside a number of other agreements, receiving military equipment today.

Chadian army soldiers return to the capital after fighting rebel forces in the north of the country, N'Djamena, Chad, May 9, 2021. (AFP)

Military vehicles and security equipment were sent to Chad to assist the country's military in anti-terrorism efforts, according to the official news agency of the United Arab Emirates.

WAM published images on Sunday of a number of desert-colored armored vehicles, produced by the Emirati weapons manufacturer NIMR. The vehicles included the Emirati and Chadian flags

According to WAM, "The UAE has sent a shipment of military vehicles and security equipment to the Republic of Chad, to support its capabilities in combatting terrorism and enhancing border protection."

The news agency noted that a military cooperation agreement had been signed between Chad and the UAE back in June of 2023 when Chadian President, General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, visited the UAE.

In turn, Chad's Defense Minister Daoud Yaya Brahim confirmed receipt of "armored vehicles in the framework of military cooperation between Chad and the Emirates," stating, "This equipment allows us to strengthen our defense forces in the framework of the struggle against terrorism."

Chad, the country that borders Niger, is not part of ECOWAS, but has been attempting to de-escalate tensions in Africa as the country, and several like it, struggle with containing extremists in the plagued Sahel region.

Niger braces for ECOWAS deadline; no signs of giving in to threats

The people of Niger brace themselves as the deadline imposed by some of their African neighbors and backed by France to reinstate the ECOWAS-approved ousted President Mohamed Bazoum looms.

The military takeover in Niger was the latest in a series of rebellions led by African young leaders against governments imposed by France as part of its colonial efforts, including the recent coups in Burkina Faso and Mali and public protests in Senegal.

Under the leadership of General Abdourahamane Tchiani and supported by the nation's people, Niger announced the suspension of the export of uranium and gold to France, following the coup.

Anti-French sentiment has been on the rise in #Africa in the past year, as African nations try to destroy the shackles enforced by the colonial past of #France. pic.twitter.com/bJ2oHNnDsN
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 5, 2023

Niger produces Africa's highest-grade uranium ores and is a source of around 20 percent of France's uranium needs, which the European country uses mostly to power its nuclear plants. This is an energy source that Paris heavily increased reliance on since gas prices skyrocketed after the start of the war in Ukraine.

This decision placed the European country in a dire energy risk.

Under ECOWAS, a number of countries affiliated with Paris gave the country a seven-day ultimatum earlier this week: either surrender the coup by Sunday, August 6 or face military action.