President of Chad Idriss Deby told the New York times that Nigeria’s impact in the fight against Boko haram is not being felt in the region.
Largely described as the strongman of Chad. The Army which Idriss Debby controls is famous for fighting Gaddafi’s Libyan Army to a standstill in the Sahara.
Speaking on the recent string of victories achieved by the Chadian Army against Boko Haram, the strongman expressed frustration that the Nigerians were unwilling to move into territories taken back from the terrorist group.
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President Debby told the New York Times that the Chadian Army was not keen on occupying Nigerian territory.
“We want the Nigerians to come and occupy, so we can advance.
“We’re wasting time, for the benefit of Boko Haram. We can’t go any further in Nigeria. We’re not an army of occupation.”
he said.
He explained that the decision to launch an assault against Boko haram was a difficult one which was taken for the economic survival of the landlocked west-African country.
Boko Haram had taken over nearly every trade route in the lake Chad basin forcing the small country to clean up Nigeria’s mess in what is seen largely as an embarrassment to the Nigerian government within international circles.
President Buhari of Nigeria came to power in 2015, promising to end the 11 year old insurgency within three months.
After Five years in power however, Boko haram remains a bigger threat to Nigeria and her neighbours than it was 6 years ago.
With gratitude from other African leaders as well as western powers, Idriss Deby’s tough looking, turbaned solders are now occupying Nigerian towns that used to serve as Boko haram bases while Helicopter gunships belonging to the Chadian Army have kept up operations against the Islamic terrorists.
Already, at least three important towns in Nigeria’s northeast — Damasak, Dikwa and Gamboru — have been taken by the Chadians. And his troops, after driving thousands of miles into the desert, are still in northern Mali taking on Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb” writes the New York times in praise of the Chadian dictator.
Shading other countries in the region, the New York times stated that no other army would have been able to do what the Chadians have done in Nigeria.
“Without Mr. Déby and his battle-hardened soldiers, analysts and diplomats say, there would be nobody on the ramparts in this vulnerable part of Africa. The Chadians are essential. They are the most capable military in the region, by a long shot.”
Idriss Deby further told the US based Newspaper that he was frustrated at the lack of coordination on the part of the Nigerian Army and it’s Government.
“All we’re doing is standing in place. And it is to the advantage of Boko Haram.
“We’ve been on the terrain for two months, and we haven’t seen a single Nigerian soldier.
“There is a definite deficit of coordination, and a lack of common action.
He complained.
He added that time was running out to secure a definite and final victory against Boko haram because of the lethargy of the Nigerian Army.
He also said the rainy season was fast approaching and it would be more difficult to move troops around during this period.
“This will give Boko Haram a three-month bonus.” He said