AGP Executive Report

ICC Withdrawal: Chad officially began the process to withdraw from the Rome Statute and the International Criminal Court, saying the ICC’s effectiveness is “limited and uneven” and that its cases show “blatant selectivity,” with most investigations tied to African situations. Regional Justice Debate: The move follows similar exits by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, and Chad’s government urged the African Union to strengthen African judicial mechanisms. Water Crisis in the East: In Abeché and beyond, patchy services and unsafe access drive daily hardship, with UN figures putting safe, continuously running water access below 10% of households in 2024; shortages also fuel deadly fights over wells. Peacebuilding at Home: Chad gave legal backing to a national interfaith platform bringing together Muslim, Catholic, and Protestant leaders to coordinate dialogue and peaceful coexistence. Labor Mobility Boost: ITUC-Africa praised Chad’s plan for visa-free entry for all Africans starting Jan. 1, 2027, calling it a step toward AfCFTA and freer movement across the continent.

ICC Withdrawal: Chad’s government has formally notified the UN of its plan to withdraw from the Rome Statute and the International Criminal Court, saying the court’s work is “limited and uneven” and disproportionately targets African countries, citing that 9 of 13 investigations involve African states and that most detainees are tied to African situations. Regional Politics: The move follows other African exits from the ICC and comes amid fresh debate over “bias” and the push for stronger African judicial mechanisms. Water Crisis in the East: In Abeché and Chad’s desert east, water shortages are driving daily hardship and deadly violence over access to wells, with taps often running dry and less than 10% of households having safe, continuously running water. Sahel Water Outlook: Separate reporting highlights a wider Sahel shift, where rising groundwater and recovering water systems are returning after decades of drought—though infrastructure and financing remain the bottleneck. Peace & Unity: Chad also gave legal backing to a new interfaith platform bringing together Muslim, Catholic, and Protestant leaders to coordinate dialogue and national unity. Visa-Free Push: Chad’s visa-free entry for Africans from Jan. 1, 2027 drew praise from ITUC-Africa as a step toward freer movement and AfCFTA goals. Security Cooperation: France and Chad are rebuilding military cooperation focused on training, intelligence sharing, and limited deployments after earlier troop withdrawals.

World Bank in N’Djamena: Farouk Mollah Banna, the World Bank’s resident representative in Chad since July 1, 2025, oversees a roughly $2.7 billion portfolio spanning agriculture, energy, education, digital transformation, social protection and infrastructure, aiming to back inclusive, resilient growth. Education & stability: A new global literacy roundup flags Chad as the least literate country, with adult literacy around 27% and education spending cited as too low to close the gap. Water crisis in the east: Reports from Abeché describe taps running dry, people buying water, and deadly violence tied to access to wells; UN figures say fewer than 10% of households had safe, continuously running water in 2024. Sahel water shift: Another piece notes the Sahel’s water recovery in recent years, with rising groundwater and Lake Chad showing signs of rebound—though drought-era damage still lingers. Peace-building at home: Chad has legally recognized a national interfaith platform bringing together Muslim, Catholic and Protestant leaders to coordinate dialogue and national unity. Regional security & France: France and Chad are rebuilding military cooperation with training, intelligence sharing and limited deployments, focused on threats around Boko Haram/ISWAP and eastern border security. Visa-free move: ITUC-Africa praised Chad’s plan to abolish entry visas for all Africans starting Jan. 1, 2027.

Water Crisis in Eastern Chad: In Abeché and across Chad’s desert east, taps often run dry and people—especially women—queue for water, with UN data saying fewer than 10% of households had safe, continuously running water in 2024; the shortage is also linked to deadly violence over access to wells. Humanitarian Pressure from Sudan: The UN says Sudan’s war has displaced over 14 million people, with only 39% of this year’s humanitarian appeal funded, leaving major gaps that spill into neighboring Chad. Chad–France Security Reset: France and Chad are rebuilding military cooperation focused on training, intelligence sharing, and limited deployments, without restoring permanent French bases, as both adapt to Sahel politics and border security needs. Peace and Unity Effort: Chad has given legal backing to a national interfaith platform bringing together Muslim, Catholic, and Protestant leaders to coordinate dialogue and peaceful coexistence. Regional Mobility Move: ITUC-Africa praised Chad’s plan to abolish entry visas for all Africans starting Jan. 1, 2027. Diplomacy: Moldova and Chad formally established diplomatic relations.

Humanitarian Pressure on Sudan-Chad Corridor: The UN says Sudan’s war has displaced over 14 million people, with only 39% of this year’s appeal funded, leaving major gaps in aid that also spills into neighboring Chad. Security & Diplomacy in the Region: Sudan’s Burhan met Eritrea’s president in Asmara to push a ceasefire plan tied to RSF withdrawal from cities, while Red Sea security concerns and regional military coordination stayed on the agenda. France-Chad Defense Reset: France and Chad are rebuilding military cooperation with training, intelligence sharing, and limited deployments—without permanent French bases—aimed at threats around Boko Haram/ISWAP and eastern border security. Water Crisis in Eastern Chad: In Abeché and beyond, patchy supply and scarce access to wells are driving deadly violence over water, with UN data saying under 10% of households had safe, continuously running water in 2024. Peacebuilding at Home: Chad legally recognized a national interfaith platform to coordinate Muslim, Catholic, and Protestant dialogue for peace and unity. Regional Mobility Boost: ITUC-Africa welcomed Chad’s plan to make entry visa-free for all Africans starting Jan. 1, 2027.

Humanitarian Pressure on Sudan-Chad Corridor: UN says Sudan’s war has displaced over 14 million people, with only 39% of this year’s humanitarian appeal funded, while aid gaps remain severe for millions; Regional Security & Diplomacy: In Asmara, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan met Eritrea’s president as ceasefire talks stayed centered on demands for RSF withdrawal from cities, alongside deeper military and intelligence coordination and Red Sea security concerns that also touch eastern Sudan; France-Chad Defense Reset: France and Chad are rebuilding military cooperation with training, intelligence sharing, and limited deployments against Boko Haram and ISWAP, without restoring permanent French bases; Water Crisis in Eastern Chad: In Abeché and beyond, patchy taps and unsafe access drive deadly violence over wells, with UN data saying under 10% of households had safe, continuously running water in 2024; Peacebuilding Through Religion: Chad legally recognized a national interfaith platform to coordinate Muslim, Catholic, and Protestant dialogue and unity; Visa-Free Move for Africans: ITUC-Africa praised Chad’s plan to abolish entry visa requirements for all African citizens starting Jan. 1, 2027.

Humanitarian Pressure in Sudan: The UN says it reached about 11 million people in Sudan with aid in the first half of 2026, but more than 14 million are displaced and only 1.7 million got multi-sector help; the Sudan appeal is just 39% funded, with gaps in healthcare, food and protection. France–Chad Security Reset: France and Chad are rebuilding military cooperation focused on training, intelligence sharing and limited deployments against Boko Haram and ISWAP, without restoring permanent French bases after the 2025 troop withdrawal. Eastern Chad Water Crisis: In Abeché and beyond, taps often run dry and people buy water; UN data says under 10% of households had safe, continuously running water in 2024, and shortages are linked to deadly violence over access to wells. Diplomacy: Moldova and the Republic of Chad established diplomatic relations, aiming to expand cooperation across political, social, economic and cultural fields. Water for Development: At an N’Djamena African water forum, Cameroon’s minister pushed for stronger financing and support for a Water Compact, calling water security a key driver for growth and resilience.

Defense Reset: France and Chad are rebuilding military cooperation with a more limited, consent-based role focused on training, intelligence sharing, and support against Boko Haram and ISWAP, plus security along Chad’s eastern border with Sudan—without restoring permanent French bases. Water Crisis in the East: In Abeché and beyond, taps run dry and safe water access remains under 10% of households, with shortages and patchy distribution systems fueling deadly violence over wells. Regional Water Push: At the N’Djamena African Water Forum, Cameroon’s minister urged stronger partner support for its Water Compact, while Chad and the World Bank frame water security as key to growth and resilience. Visa-Free Step: Chad’s president announced visa-free entry for all Africans starting Jan. 1, 2027, praised by ITUC-Africa as a boost for free movement and AfCFTA trade. Peace and Unity Framework: Chad legally recognized a national interfaith platform to coordinate Muslim, Catholic, and Protestant dialogue and peaceful coexistence during political transition and regional instability.

Water Crisis in Eastern Chad: In Abeché and across the desert east, taps often run dry and people—especially women—queue for water, with UN data saying under 10% of households had safe, continuously running water in 2024; the shortage is also linked to deadly violence over access to wells. Sahel Water Recovery: A wider Sahel story is emerging as wells refill and Lake Chad recovers after decades of drought, driven by stronger rains that can both replenish aquifers and trigger floods. African Water Forum in N’Djamena: At the forum, Chad’s leaders pushed for faster water solutions and regional resilience, while Cameroon’s minister highlighted a major “Water Compact” push and the need for stronger financing and infrastructure. Chad’s Visa-Free Move: President Mahamat Idriss Déby announced Chad will abolish entry visas for all Africans from Jan. 1, 2027, positioning the country as a gateway for regional movement. Regional Investment Watch: UNCTAD data says Cameroon drew CFAF 332 billion in FDI in 2025, keeping it top in Central Africa even as inflows fell—an economic backdrop for Chad’s own development push. Diplomacy: Moldova and the Republic of Chad officially established diplomatic relations, aiming to expand cooperation across political, social, economic, and cultural fields. Education Reform: UNESCO-backed work under Chad’s PRET program completed national assessments to strengthen literacy and non-formal education for youth and adults left out of formal schooling. Russia-Chad Ties: Russia’s foreign minister highlighted growing cooperation with Chad, including visa-free travel for diplomatic and service passport holders. Community Spotlight: A Winnipeg mosque story highlights a Chad refugee’s journey and the support networks helping newcomers rebuild lives. Chad Lovell Memorial: Dallas music community mourns Deep Ellum drummer Chad Lovell, a longtime Course of Empire mainstay, who died after a 2019 head injury.

Water Crisis in Eastern Chad: In Abeché and across Chad’s desert east, taps often run dry and families—especially women—buy water or trek for it, with officials citing rapid population growth and patchy infrastructure; UN data says fewer than 10% of households had safe, continuously running water in 2024, and the strain is linked to deadly violence over access to wells. Sahel Water Shift: A wider Sahel story also points to rising groundwater and recovering water bodies after decades of drought, though rains can bring both floods and renewed recharge. Peace and Unity Effort: Chad has legally backed a new interfaith platform in N’Djamena, giving Muslim, Catholic, and Protestant leaders a formal framework to coordinate dialogue and national cohesion. Visa-Free Push: Chad’s government says entry visas for all Africans will be abolished from Jan. 1, 2027, praised by ITUC-Africa as a boost for free movement and trade. Regional Diplomacy: Moldova and Chad have established diplomatic relations, effective from the date of their UN communiqué signing.

Visa-Free Push: Chad’s President Deby says the country will abolish entry visas for all Africans starting Jan. 1, 2027, making Chad the eighth African state to join the visa-free movement and aiming to boost free movement and trade under AfCFTA. Peace & Unity Framework: Chad has given legal backing to a new interfaith platform bringing Muslim, Catholic, and Protestant leaders together to coordinate dialogue and peaceful coexistence as regional instability grows. Water & Development Talks: At the N’Djamena African Water Forum, Cameroon’s minister used the World Bank Water Forward gathering to stress water security as a development priority and called for stronger financing and partner support—while Chad is credited for convening the effort. Education Reform: UNESCO’s UIL and partners are supporting Chad’s PRET education refoundation, including national assessments to modernize non-formal learning and expand opportunities for women and rural communities. Regional Finance Watch: CDEC challenges CEMAC banking oversight rules, arguing the regulation is already before the CEMAC Court of Justice.

Peace & Unity in Chad: Chad has legally recognized a national interfaith platform, bringing Muslim, Catholic and Protestant leaders under one official body signed in N’Djamena on June 25 to strengthen dialogue and social cohesion amid political transition and regional instability. Visa-Free Push: Chad announced it will abolish entry visas for all Africans starting Jan. 1, 2027, a move praised by ITUC-Africa as a boost for free movement and AfCFTA trade. Education Reform: UNESCO’s UIL and partners are supporting Chad’s PRET program, with new national assessments to modernize non-formal and lifelong learning for youth and adults left out of formal schooling. Regional Water Focus: Chad hosted the African Water Forum in N’Djamena, where leaders called for urgent action on safe water access, water governance and financing. Sudan Spillover & Justice Pressure: Rights groups and legal advocates renewed calls for accountability over atrocities linked to Sudan’s war, with attention on alleged foreign support routes involving Chad and Libya.

Interfaith Peace Push: Chad has legally recognized a national interfaith platform bringing together Muslim, Catholic, and Protestant leaders, giving the group a formal legal status to coordinate dialogue and peaceful coexistence during political transition and regional instability. Visa-Free Integration: The African trade union body ITUC-Africa praised Chad’s decision to abolish entry visas for all Africans starting Jan. 1, 2027, calling it a boost for free movement and AfCFTA-style economic integration. Education Reform: With UNESCO’s lifelong learning support, Chad is rolling out assessments under its PRET education refoundation plan to modernize literacy and non-formal basic education and expand access for excluded youth and adults. Russia Ties: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met Chadian officials and highlighted growing cooperation, including a recent visa-free step for holders of diplomatic and service passports. Regional Water Agenda: At the African Water Forum in N’Djamena, leaders focused on water governance, infrastructure funding, and regional cooperation—framing water as both a development priority and an economic opportunity. CEMAC Banking Dispute: Cameroon’s CDEC renewed its challenge to a CEMAC banking oversight rule, arguing it’s already before the CEMAC Court of Justice.

Visa-Free Push: ITUC-Africa praised Chad’s move to abolish entry visas for all Africans, starting Jan. 1, 2027, calling it bold, pro–free movement, and a boost for AfCFTA trade. Education Reform: UNESCO’s UIL and partners are supporting Chad’s PRET program with national assessments to strengthen literacy and non-formal basic education, especially for women and rural communities. Diplomacy: Moldova and the Republic of Chad officially established diplomatic relations, aiming to expand cooperation across political, social, economic, cultural, and innovation fields. Water Agenda: At the African Water Forum in N’Djamena, leaders urged urgent action on water governance and financing, with Chad’s president warning of major gaps in safe drinking water and falling storage capacity. Russia Ties: Russia’s Lavrov highlighted growing Chad–Russia cooperation and noted a visa-free agreement for diplomatic and service passport holders. Justice & ICC: Amnesty International criticized US attacks on the ICC, pointing to the ICC’s deputy prosecutor meeting Darfur victims in Chad.

African Water Forum in N’Djamena: Chad’s President Mahamat Idriss Déby opened the forum calling water a crisis of “unprecedented scale,” saying 400+ million Africans lack safe drinking water and pushing for action on governance, funding, and regional cooperation. Education reform: UNESCO’s UIL and partners backed national assessments under PRET to modernize Chad’s literacy and non-formal basic education, aiming to expand learning for youth and adults left out of formal schooling. Visa-free travel: Déby announced Chad will abolish entry visas for all Africans from Jan. 1, 2027, making Chad the eighth country to join the visa-free push. Diplomacy: Moldova and Chad formally established diplomatic relations, pledging cooperation across political, social, economic, cultural, and innovation fields. Russia ties: Chad’s foreign minister met Russia’s Sergey Lavrov, with both highlighting growing cooperation and a visa-free step for diplomatic and service passport holders. CEMAC banking dispute: Cameroon’s CDEC challenged a CEMAC regulation expanding COBAC oversight, saying it’s already before the CEMAC Court.

Sudan Accountability Push: As fighting for El Obeid drags on, rights groups and UN-linked reporting say the crisis can’t be explained by Sudan alone, pointing to foreign backing—especially the UAE—and urging the ICC to act. Cultural Heritage Under Fire: A look inside Sudan’s National Museum in Khartoum describes war damage, looting, and weapons left in exhibition spaces after RSF occupation. Chad Education Reform: UNESCO and partners say new national assessments are laying groundwork to expand literacy and non-formal basic education for youth and adults left out of the formal system. Chad Regional Integration: President Mahamat Idriss Déby announced Chad will abolish entry visas for all Africans from Jan. 1, 2027—making it the eighth country to join the visa-free push. Chad Energy & Growth: A solar project in N’Djamena, Noor Chad, is highlighted as fast-built power for hundreds of thousands of homes, while a separate report notes the World Bank’s upgraded growth outlook for Chad. Water Forum in N’Djamena: The African Water Forum opened with calls for urgent action on water access, funding, and regional cooperation. Diplomacy: Moldova and Chad formally established diplomatic relations. International Justice Clash: Amnesty and other groups criticized US moves targeting the ICC, noting the ICC’s deputy prosecutor was in Chad meeting Darfur victims.