Chadian Government Dispatches Ministers to Resolve Student Clash in the East

The Chadian government announced the dispatch of a ministerial delegation this week to the city of Amdjarass, in the northeast of the country, following the outbreak of clashes between students at the "National School of Science and Technology in Media and Communication." The conflict, which occurred during the New Year holidays, was triggered by religious disagreements and has sparked widespread local and social media debate.

Roots of the Crisis: The crisis originated from a sermon delivered by Sheikh Yahya bin Ibrahim Khalil, leader of the "Ansar al-Sunna al-Muhammadiyya" group. In his speech during Christmas week, he criticized Muslims participating in non-Muslim celebrations and called for abstaining from exchanging greetings. Although officially rejected by the government and the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, the sermon spread rapidly via messaging apps, reaching the campus in Amdjarass.

From Debate to Violence: On December 30, Christian students attempted to invite their Muslim classmates to a traditional Christmas banquet, but the invitation was rejected this year. This quickly escalated into verbal altercations and then physical violence on January 2, resulting in six injuries and damage to student dormitories. In response, the Ministers of Health and Communication visited the city, promising living reforms such as better room distribution, technical equipment, and a new water well. While officials claim stability has returned, some injured students expressed fear of returning to campus. Observers warn that this incident highlights growing societal tensions and sectarian rhetoric in a fragile social fabric.