Chad: Diverse and Resilient Crossroads of the Sahel
The Sahel, July 2025
La Place de la Nation, N’Djamena Chad is the last of the 4 countries we are going to in the Sahel, one often eclipsed by the others. The one you are most likely not to have actually become aware of.
Like the other 3, Chad remains a complicated location with lots of areas limited for tourists due to security issues, though it’s much safer than the others. Or a minimum of, the travel advisories are a little bit less severe. I ask ChatGPT to compare the threat of terrorism in the 4, and it matches what I currently understand:
- Burkina Faso: very high risk, among the worst impacted worldwide– multiple jihadist revolts, weak government control, cross-border spillover with Mali and Niger.
- Mali: likewise very high risk– long‐standing jihadist groups (e.g. JNIM, ISGS), especially in the north and central areas; big ungoverned areas; political instability, coups, challenging terrain.
- Niger: high and increasing– essential tri-border locations (with Mali & Burkina Faso) are flashpoints; IS and Al‑Qaeda affiliates active; military susceptible; recent high‐casualty attacks.
- Chad: moderate to high, but more localised– some jihadist spillover from neighbouring nations; parts of the Lake Chad location face Boko Haram/ISWAP threats; however, Chad has stronger military capability and sometimes more stable control in some locations.
Odd then, that the most safe of them (reasonably speaking) is the one I find the hardest to deal with, at least at first. I do not understand precisely why, however Chad makes me a little aggressive. Possibly it’s due to the fact that it’s the last country on the trip, and I’m a feeling a bit drained pipes.
That aside, let’s get on with it. However first, a digression:
Why
am I going to these high-risk areas in the very first place? It’s a fair question. I look at it this way: If you did a comparative global threat study before 22 July 2011, I’m willing to bet a small island in the middle of a lake in Norway would have a very low danger; in reality, it would probably be thought about among the safest locations on the planet. I believe it refers being at the incorrect place at the incorrect time; unpredictable. And whilst I will take all reasonable precautions, I will not let fear run my life.
Chad has a mix of individuals, languages, and traditions that coexist reasonably in harmony in the middle of hard circumstances. Despite obstacles like ecological modifications and political instability, there is community spirit here.
I discussed a diverse and resistant crossroads– that refers particularly to the capital city. N’Djamena is a bit of a center, both for organization and cultural blending, as it is located near the borders of both Cameroon and Nigeria. In reality, N’Djamena and Kousséri in Cameroon are simply throughout the Logone River from one another. Simply a bridge away.
N’Djamena: Location of Rest
I believe Ouagadougou wins the title of the coolest name for a capital, however N’Djamena is right up there. The French founded the city on the confluence of the Chari and the Longone rivers 125 years earlier, and called it Fort-Lamy, after some French military person or other. No reason to hold on to a colonial name, so it was changed to N’Djamena, after a village nearby called Nijamina in Arabic, implying Place of Rest. Reputation for a capital, I think. Here’s a catchy tune by Cameroonian singer André-Marie Tala, about going to N’Djamena at some point.
Things to see and do in N’Djamena Like the other three capitals we have visited in the Sahel, N’Djamena is not precisely awash with traveler attractions, that is not really what this journey is about. But here are a couple of landmarks:
La Place de la Nation
The large public square referred to as La Location de la Nation was built in 2010, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Chad’s independence, and is everything about nationwide unity. As you would anticipate, there are frequent official ceremonies here. It is likewise an informal and dynamic meeting place for residents– and now us.
The style of this square is quite striking, with great deals of open area, and federal government structures all around. I like it. There’s room to manoeuvre, it’s a simple location to breathe. Can’t state that about every African capital.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de la Paix
Christianity– Catholicism particularly– is the second biggest religious beliefs in Chad, and especially substantial here in the southern part of the nation. Our guide is proud to reveal us Our Lady of Peace Cathedral, built in 1965, ruined during the Civil War in 1980, and brought back in 2013.
It’s a great structure. I particularly like the interior, no gold or riches on screen, simply plain, plain simpleness. The only decoration is the gorgeous stained-glass windows.
Mary seems to play the lead here. Musee National N’Djamena(MoMAA) My preferred area in N’Djamena
is the National Museum, especially the area tracking the evolution of mankind. Till just recently, we have believed Lucy & co that roamed the Great Rift Valley in East Africa 3.2 million years back, have actually been our earliest human forefathers. However the discovery of Toumaï (Sahelanthropus tchadensis) in Chad in 2001, suggests we have been around even longer than that.
Toumaï is among the earliest recognized species in the human lineage. The fossil skull– probably male– is approximated to be about 7 million years old, and reveals a mix of human- and ape-like features: small brain size and popular brow ridges. However also proof that he might have walked upright, an essential characteristic of, well, us.
Most scientists approximate that we divided from a common ancestor about 6 or 7 million years ago, and formed 2 groups — chimpanzees and humans. That implies Toumaï might have been a transitional one. This is amazing stuff!
Our very first ancestor? Darwin was ideal In each fantastic area of the world the living mammals are closely associated to the extinct types of the same region. It is for that reason likely that Africa was previously inhabited by extinct apes closely allied to the gorilla and chimpanzee; and as these 2 species are now man’s closest allies, it is rather more likely that our early progenitors survived on the African continent than somewhere else.
The Descent of Guy
Modern science completely supports what Charlie said currently in 1871.
Sites in Africa where remains of ancient humans have actually been found Conclusion:
we are all African– and outside Africa, we are all migrants
Gaoui Time for a little trip out of town, however not far. About 12 km from N’Djamena is the historic village Gaoui, where we can get a peek of Chadian cultural heritage.
Once capital of the Sao civilisation, Gaoui is well-known for its conventional mud-brick architecture and colourful pottery.
And who were the Sao? An extremely innovative culture that had its prime time between the 6th century BCE and the 16th century CE. More than two millennia!
They had sophisticated bronze, iron and pottery working skills, and have actually left behind some excellent works– tools, sculptures, and artefacts we see in the Royal Palace.
Legend has it, they also had complicated trade and social networks, and they are thought about among the earliest and most prominent civilisations in Central Africa.
Au nom de l’art
On the borders of N’Djamena, is a project with a concentrate on recyclable art.
Nomads
Near the new, Chinese-financed Mandjafa Arena, we pick up a chat with Arab nomad families camping with their animals throughout a seasonal migration.
Along the river Back in N’Djamena, a walk along the Chari River is a good finale to these days in Chad.
Favourite consumes In N’Djamena, we have supper at Restaurant Layalina and enjoy it a lot, we come back the next evening.
Curious fact: This may be fascinating only to Norwegians, however … I found innumerable automobiles with logos of Norwegian companies and organisations, consisting of Lista Røde Kors (a Red Cross regional chapter in southern Norway), and numerous, numerous Toyota vans from Skog og Fritid AS, a Norwegian forestry business.
Apparently, these are used cars and trucks that have actually been exported to Chad and gotten a brand-new lease on life in N’Djamena. The brand-new owners have not gotten rid of the original markings, however they have added a picture (spiritual?) and the word Salam in the window, normal of local minibus culture in Western- and Central Africa.
Reflections on Chad As time in Chad proceeds, I end up being a little less aggressive, and understand I wish to come back and see more of the country. 3 days is most likely enough for N’Djamena, but not near enough for Chad. Fellow travellers rave about the enigmatic and gorgeous Ennedi massif up in the north-east, near the border with Sudan, so that is on my list for calmer times.
Summing up the Sahel Security initially The Sahel is an area with continuous security difficulties, consisting of armed disputes, kidnappings, and political unrest, that differ substantially by country and region, see contrast above. This suggests travelling here needs mindful planning, situational awareness, and regional connections. We have prevented high-risk areas, i.e. borders and northern locations. We have actually kept a low profile, and used our sound judgment. Military existence is high, and checkpoints prevail. Current experience have taught me not to be argumentative (counterproductive as that is) and work together respectfully. I constantly bring my passport.
Above all, I would not travel without a local guide who knows the terrain and the existing situation.
The Sahel’s sustaining spirit
I leave the Sahel with a strong realisation that this area is even more than its challenges. There are stories here. Stories of survival and nerve. Of endurance and unyielding hope.
If you pick to visit, do so with your eyes open and your plans flexible.
This journey through the Sahel has covered Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad.