Chad’s democratic opposition is urging the government to pursue urgent political dialogue following renewed clashes in Miski, a gold-mining area in the northern Tibesti region.

In a joint statement issued in N’Djamena on October 20, opposition leaders expressed concern over the violence and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. The statement was signed by prominent opposition figure Pahimi Padacké Albert alongside leaders of other political parties.

The opposition linked the continuing instability to longstanding disagreements over natural-resource management and demands for greater socioeconomic fairness among local communities. Miski has experienced tensions over control of gold-mining activities and the implementation of a peace agreement signed by the government and local representatives in April 2025.

Opposition leaders are calling for the peace commitments to be respected and for inclusive consultations to replace armed confrontation. They have also urged authorities to provide reliable public information about the situation, protect fundamental rights and improve transparency in the management of natural resources.

The dispute presents a political challenge for the government of President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, particularly as authorities seek stability in the remote Tibesti region.

Whether the latest appeal leads to formal negotiations remains uncertain. A durable settlement will likely depend on meaningful engagement with local stakeholders, credible implementation of previous commitments and agreement on how resources are managed.

The opposition’s statement highlights the need to address the underlying political and economic grievances, rather than relying solely on security measures to contain the conflict.