A devastating fire engulfed a Chadian army munitions depot in Ndjamena during the night of June 18-19, 2024, resulting in a series of explosions that claimed at least nine lives and injured 46 others, according to government reports.
Mahamat Nour Ibedou, a prominent figure in Chadian civil society, argues that this catastrophe was preventable. “With the city’s expansion, the depot ended up within an urban perimeter. This was a situation that could have been avoided by relocating the depot further away,” he asserted.
In light of the tragedy at the Goudji munitions depot, which caused significant loss of life and injuries, the Chadian government has pledged a thorough investigation to identify those responsible and implement measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
Human rights defender Mahamat Nour Ibedou highlights that this incident is not isolated, pointing to previous warnings and the government’s inaction. He expresses concern over the numerous military camps and potential weapon storage sites within urban areas, including the presidential premises. Ibedou urges the authorities to relocate these facilities outside city limits to safeguard civilian lives.
“The same depot had previously caught fire,” Ibedou recalls. “Constructed over twenty years ago, the Goudji depot has been encroached upon by the expanding city. This could have been avoided by relocating it further away.” He adds, “There have been other similar incidents. This very depot caught fire in the mid-1990s. Nothing was done in response. They should have implemented all necessary security measures to prevent such occurrences. But the best solution now would be to move the depot.”
Ibedou concludes with a stark reminder of the evident negligence and responsibility of the authorities. “There are some depots located right within the city. We must campaign vigorously to compel the authorities to address these risks. The safety of the population must take precedence over all other considerations.”
This incident underscores the critical need for proactive measures to mitigate risks associated with munitions storage in urban areas. The Chadian government’s response and the subsequent actions will be pivotal in ensuring such a tragedy does not happen again.