AGP Executive Report

France–Chad Ties: President Mahamat Idriss Deby and Emmanuel Macron agreed to renew defence cooperation, two years after Chad ordered French forces out. A new framework covers military training, expertise, industry and technology. Development: Chad’s finance minister and Islamic Development Bank chief discussed financing projects in transport, water, agriculture, energy and education, aligned with the country’s development priorities. Regional Economy: CEMAC will withdraw five older CFA-franc coin series from circulation on November 1; holders can exchange them until October 31, 2027. Separately, BEAC approved a 2027–2030 plan to buy gold within the bloc and diversify its reserves. Lake Chad Security: The African Union plans to deploy its standby force to support the regional fight against terrorism, alongside the Multinational Joint Task Force. Humanitarian Crisis: WFP warns hunger and displacement are surging across the Sahel, including Chad, as conflict, drought and economic pressures leave millions struggling to access food.

France–Chad Ties: President Mahamat Idriss Déby and Emmanuel Macron agreed to rebuild defence cooperation, signing a framework for renewed work on military training, expertise, technology and industry. France’s forces left Chad in 2024 after N’Djamena ended their long-standing security arrangement. Development Finance: Chad’s finance minister and Islamic Development Bank leaders discussed financing projects in transport, water, agriculture, energy and education, building on the country’s Chad Connection 2030 plan. Regional Security: The African Union plans to deploy its standby force in the Lake Chad region to support the Multinational Joint Task Force. The announcement comes as Nigerian forces report killing more than 40 ISWAP fighters in Borno. CEMAC Currency: Five older CFA franc coin series will cease to be legal tender on November 1 across Chad and five other CEMAC countries. Holders can exchange them through October 31, 2027. Sahel Crisis: The World Food Programme warns hunger and displacement have surged across the region, including Chad, amid conflict, drought and rising costs.

Development Finance: Chad’s finance minister and the Islamic Development Bank chief discussed funding projects in transport, water, agriculture, energy and education, building on the Chad Connection 2030 framework. Lake Chad Security: Nigerian forces say an October 10 air strike in Borno killed more than 40 ISWAP fighters and destroyed vehicles and motorcycles. The African Union has also announced plans for a mobile standby force to support the regional task force against terrorism. CEMAC Currency: Five older CFA franc coin series will lose legal-tender status on November 1. Holders can exchange them through October 31, 2027, with exchanges shifting to BEAC branches from August. Regional Connectivity: Chadian carrier Royal Airways has launched a Douala–Bangui service, expanding links between Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Chad. BEAC Reserves: The central bank approved a 2027–2030 plan to buy gold within CEMAC, following a decision taken in N’Djamena; details on purchases and financing remain undisclosed.

Development Finance: Chad’s finance minister, Tahir Hamid Nguilin, met Islamic Development Bank Group chairman Muhammad Al Jasser in Bangkok to discuss financing for transport, water, agriculture, energy and social projects under Chad’s development framework. Regional Security: The African Union plans to deploy its standby force in the Lake Chad region to support the Multinational Joint Task Force. Separately, Nigeria’s military says an airstrike in Borno killed more than 40 ISWAP fighters preparing attacks near the basin. CEMAC Policy: The monetary union approved the withdrawal of five older CFA-franc coin series from legal tender on November 1. Holders will have a year to exchange them, though exchange arrangements are still pending. The central bank also approved a 2027–2030 strategy to buy gold within the region and diversify reserves.

Regional Development: The Niger Basin Authority and member governments urged faster delivery of water and climate-adaptation projects, stronger financing and cooperation, citing the basin’s importance to more than 200 million people. Lake Chad Security: The African Union plans to deploy its mobile standby force to support the Multinational Joint Task Force against terrorism. The force faces funding and equipment shortfalls, with Nigeria shouldering much of the cost and regional partners urged to contribute more. CEMAC Finance: Meeting in N’Djamena, the bloc’s monetary committee ordered five older CFA-franc coin series withdrawn from legal tender on November 1, with a one-year exchange period. BEAC also approved a 2027–2030 plan to buy gold within the region, though it has yet to set purchase volumes or launch dates. Regional Connectivity: Chadian carrier Royal Airways has opened a Douala–Bangui route, adding links between Chad, Cameroon and the Central African Republic.

Lake Chad Security: The African Union plans to deploy a standby force to support the Multinational Joint Task Force, as Nigeria calls for a broader overhaul of the AU’s security framework. Funding gaps threaten the joint force, with Chad previously reported to have threatened withdrawal. Regional Development: The Niger Basin Authority urged its nine member states to speed up projects and secure sustainable funding, highlighting water infrastructure’s importance to jobs and stability. CEMAC Policy: At meetings in N’Djamena, BEAC approved a 2027–2030 plan to buy gold within the region. CEMAC ministers also ruled that five older coin series will lose legal-tender status on November 1, with a one-year exchange period. Connectivity: Chadian carrier Royal Airways launched a Douala–Bangui service, expanding regional links with its existing Douala–N’Djamena flights.

Regional Security: Nigeria is urging a major overhaul of the African Union’s security framework as the AU plans to deploy its Standby Force in the Lake Chad region alongside the Multinational Joint Task Force. The force faces funding and equipment shortages, with Nigeria carrying much of the cost and regional contributions under pressure. CEMAC Finance: Meeting in N’Djamena, BEAC approved a 2027–2030 plan to buy gold from member states and agreed that five older CFA franc coin series will lose legal-tender status on November 1; holders will have a one-year exchange period. Regional Links: Chadian carrier Royal Airways has opened a Douala–Bangui route, expanding connections between Chad, Cameroon and the Central African Republic and supporting regional trade. Shared Water: The Niger Basin Authority urged its nine member countries to speed up projects and secure funding, citing the basin’s importance to more than 200 million people and the many jobs tied to water resources.

Lake Chad Security: The African Union says it plans to deploy its Standby Force to support the Multinational Joint Task Force against terrorism. The plan comes as experts warn the force faces funding and equipment gaps; Chad has reportedly threatened to withdraw, while Niger has suspended participation. CEMAC Currency: A decision taken in N’Djamena will strip five older CFA-franc coin series of legal-tender status across the bloc from November 1. Holders will have a one-year exchange period, though arrangements are still pending. Regional Finance: BEAC approved a 2027–2030 plan to buy gold from CEMAC countries, aiming to diversify reserves. It has yet to specify purchase volumes, funding or when buying will begin. Air Links: Chadian carrier Royal Airways has launched a Douala–Bangui route, expanding connections among Chad, Cameroon and the Central African Republic and adding to its existing Douala–N’Djamena service.

Regional Security: The African Union plans to deploy its Standby Force in the Lake Chad region to support the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF). The move comes as the force faces funding and equipment shortages, with Nigeria carrying much of the cost and regional participation under strain. CEMAC Finance: Meeting in N’Djamena, the BEAC approved a 2027–2030 plan to buy gold from within the region and diversify reserves, though it has yet to disclose purchase targets or funding. CEMAC will also withdraw five older CFA franc coin series from legal tender on November 1, with a one-year exchange period planned. Regional Connectivity: Chadian carrier Royal Airways has launched a Douala–Bangui service, expanding links between Chad, Cameroon and the Central African Republic and aiming to support trade.

Lake Chad Security: The African Union plans to deploy its mobile Standby Force to support the Multinational Joint Task Force against terrorism. At a regional security forum, officials also called for stronger intelligence-sharing and more reliable funding. CEMAC Currency: Five older CFA franc coin series will lose legal-tender status across the bloc, including Chad, on November 1. Holders will have a one-year exchange period, though the locations and procedures are still to be announced. Central African Reserves: BEAC’s board approved a 2027–2030 plan to buy gold from within CEMAC, at a meeting in N’Djamena. The bank has yet to disclose purchase volumes, funding or when buying will begin. Task Force Funding: A regional report warns that money and equipment shortages are weakening the Lake Chad force as violence rises. Nigeria carries much of the cost; Niger has suspended participation, while Chad previously threatened to withdraw.

Regional Diplomacy: Chad’s Labour and Public Service Minister Abdoulaye Mbodou Mbami met with Qatar’s labour minister on the sidelines of a Tanzania dialogue on fair labour mobility between Africa and Gulf states. Lake Chad Security: Funding shortfalls are straining the multinational force fighting Boko Haram and ISWAP as violence rises across the basin. Nigeria has shouldered most costs; Niger has suspended participation, and Chad has threatened to withdraw. Cross-Border Cooperation: Cameroon and Nigeria pledged closer work on security and counterterrorism, while Cameroon plans a new elite unit in its Far North to respond to renewed attacks and support affected communities.

Regional Security: Cameroon and Nigeria pledged closer cooperation on border security and counterterrorism, with shared challenges including armed groups in the Lake Chad Basin. Labour Diplomacy: Chad’s public service minister joined counterparts at the Doha Dialogue on labour mobility, which brought together officials from more than 33 countries. Lake Chad Force: Funding and equipment gaps are straining the multinational task force as violence rises; Niger has suspended participation, while Chad has previously threatened to withdraw, adding pressure on remaining members. France Ties: N’Djamena and Paris are rebuilding relations through business and diplomacy, with both sides signaling a shift toward economic cooperation and a more discreet security partnership. U.S. Relations: A U.S. Senate committee held a hearing on William Flens, nominated to be ambassador to Chad.

Lake Chad Security: ISWAP fighters attacked a military base in Nigeria’s Borno State near Lake Chad; Nigerian forces said they killed more than 25 militants, though soldiers also died. Separately, troops arrested a suspected terrorist in Magumeri who investigators say operated near the Lake Chad region and Niger. Regional Force Under Strain: The Multinational Joint Task Force, which includes Chad, faces funding and equipment shortages as violence rises. Niger has suspended participation, and past reports that Chad could withdraw add pressure on the remaining partners. Chad-France Ties: N’Djamena and Paris are rebuilding relations through business and diplomacy, alongside quieter security cooperation, after Chad ended their defence pact and French troops left in 2024.

Lake Chad Security: Nigerian troops repelled an ISWAP assault near Lake Chad, with more than 25 militants reported killed and some soldiers also reported dead or wounded. The attack highlights the threat facing the region as funding and equipment gaps strain the multinational force, with Niger’s participation suspended and Chad previously reported to have threatened withdrawal. Chad–France Relations: N’Djamena and Paris are rebuilding ties through business and diplomacy after Chad ended their defence pact in 2024; both sides say they want a broader relationship, with security cooperation taking a less visible role. U.S. Diplomacy: The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing on William Flens’s nomination as ambassador to Chad.

Elections & Governance (Nigeria): INEC is again pressing Abuja to release remaining election funds ahead of the 2027 polls, warning that delays could disrupt preparations; civil society groups back the demand and warn against any party/candidate interference in the process, while INEC also says some parties have not nominated presidential candidates. Regional Security (Lake Chad): Security experts warn the Multinational Joint Task Force is running short of money as violence rises around Lake Chad, with Nigeria carrying much of the cost and calls growing for stronger regional funding and support. North-East Security & Military Cooperation: Nigeria’s defence leadership highlights intensified counter-terrorism cooperation with the United States, including intelligence sharing and special forces training, as troops report major operations against extremists and thwarted kidnappings. Borno Economic Pressure (Oil): Borno Governor Babagana Zulum urges the federal government to restart stalled oil exploration in Magumeri and Gubio, while praising efforts to revive Kolmani and pushing for similar momentum across the Lake Chad Basin. Chad–France Reset: Chad and France are quietly rebuilding ties after the end of a long defence pact, shifting toward business and a more discreet security relationship.

Lake Chad Security Funding Crunch: Experts warn the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) is running short of money as violence rises around Lake Chad, with Nigeria covering much of the cost and contributors under pressure after Niger suspended participation and Chad reportedly threatened to withdraw. Boko Haram/ISWAP Killings in Borno: Suspected ISWAP fighters attacked Marte, Borno, killing at least 15 farmers and loggers accused of spying, with Amnesty International calling it a serious violation of humanitarian law. Nigeria–U.S. Counter-Terrorism Push: Nigeria’s defence chief reaffirmed deeper military cooperation with the U.S., prioritising intelligence sharing, special forces training, border surveillance, and support against improvised explosive devices. North-East Governors on Oil Revival: Borno Governor Babagana Zulum urged Nigeria’s federal government to restart stalled oil exploration in Magumeri and Gubio, while praising Tinubu’s push to revive the Kolmani project and calling for similar momentum across the Lake Chad Basin. Regional Governance & Security Priorities: The North-East Governors’ Forum highlighted progress in cooperation and infrastructure, but warned Boko Haram is weakened yet not defeated, with banditry and communal clashes emerging as new threats. Chad–France Thaw: Chad and France are reportedly rebuilding ties more quietly through business and diplomacy after N’Djamena ended a defence pact in 2024. Water Security in the Chad Basin: Chad Basin Development Authority urged stronger protection of rivers and water sources, linking water management to agriculture, livelihoods, and community survival.