Court 20 May sentenced eight policemen to six months’ prison for violent assault on protesters late April that left four dead. Parliament 21 May voted to stay engaged in regional fight against Boko Haram (BH). BH 27 May attacked army on Choua island, Lake Chad; four soldiers, 33 BH members reported killed.

Riots and fighting 25 April between population and security forces in Kyabé in south left at least four dead amid growing popular discontent. Civil servants and teachers 8 April announced strike, demanded payment of overdue salaries. Operations against Boko Haram (BH) in Lake Chad region continued.

Nigerian President Jonathan 12 March asked Chadian army to stop military advance in Nigeria in fight against Boko Haram (BH); troops redeployed to Cameroon’s Far North cities, close to Nigerian border. Chadian army 21 March retook Gambaru near border from BH, killed several BH fighters. Chad and Niger 8 March launched land, air attack in Bosso and Diffa (Niger), reportedly captured Damasak (Nigeria); 31 March reportedly retook Malam Fatori (Nigeria). Popular unrest in Chad increased: one killed during student protest 9 March; police 11 March shot at crowd accompanying student’s body home, EU 20 March condemned “disproportionate” use of force. Several opposition leaders late March accused Déby of using fear of BH to strengthen control.

Authorities stepped up response to Boko Haram (BH) regional attacks: troops crossed border 11 and 13 Feb to repel attacks on Gamboru, N Nigeria, and again 24 Feb; 207 BH and one Chadian soldier reported killed. BH 13 Feb launched first attack on Chadian territory, targeting Ngouboua near Nigerian border. Chad 16 Feb launched U.S.-backed counter-terrorism exercise, gathering troops from African and Western states. French FM Fabius 21 Feb met President Deby in N’Djamena to discuss fight against BH.

President Déby 14 Jan discussed Boko Haram (BH) threat with Cameroonian defence minister; Chad 17 Jan sent 2,500 troops, 400 military vehicles and combat helicopters to Cameroon’s Far North province. Regional meeting 20 Jan called for UNSC to mandate regional force to combat BH; AU Commission President Dlamini-Zuma backed call, asked UN to establish fund to finance force, provide logistics.

Protests continued in response to fuel shortage, unpaid salaries and rising prices. University professors still on strike; police 11 Dec arrested striking high school students. Lawyers 22 Dec ended month-long strike. Baba Laddé, govt official in southern Chad and former warlord, arrested in CAR by UN forces 8 Dec.

Protests 11 Nov in southern cities Sarh, Moundou and N’Djamena against oil shortage, rising cost of basic commodities. University professors and lawyers 10 Nov went on strike over unpaid salaries, followed by students; five killed, several injured in police crackdown. French PM Valls and Defence Minister Le Drian 22 Nov visited HQ of French “Barkhane” military operation in N’Djamena, met President Déby.

Five Chadian MINUSMA soldiers killed 18 Sept, north Mali; N’djamena accused UN mission of using Chadian soldiers as human shield. Magistrates trade unions early Sept criticised decree appointing members of Supreme Court, Court of Auditors, denounced appointments as ethnically-based, called on President Deby to address issue. Council of ministers 14 Sept adopted new penal code, abolishing death penalty; human rights NGOs criticized code for tougher legislation against homosexuals. Deby 8 Sept met with Nigerian President Jonathan in N’djamena to deepen cooperation against Boko Haram threat.

French counterterrorism operation “Barkhane” launched 1 Aug. Border patrols reinforced against increasing Nigerian Islamist sect Boko Haram (BH) threat. 85 Nigerian hostages, abducted by BH early Aug from Doro Baga (Nigeria), rescued 16 Aug by Chadian border patrol. Ethnic clashes between Zaga gold prospectors crossing from Niger and Toubous mid-Aug in Tibesti, 500 prospectors arrested after reported attack; 2,500 more gold prospectors returning from Niger arrested by army in Borkou.

French President Hollande visited Ndjamena 18 July following 14 July launch of new French counter-terrorism operation “Barkhane”; Ndjamena to be strategic centre for 3,000 personnel deployed across Sahel. Federation of magis- trates 26 July asked President Déby to remove Justice Minister from office, citing contempt of court.