The Association for Community Well-being in Chad (ABEDEC-TCHAD) held a press conference on October 31, 2026, at the Walia neighborhood house in N'Djamena's 9th arrondissement. The conference addressed concerns over the restructuring of Ngonba neighborhood, which began in 2018. According to Bahyaba Mbellet, national coordinator of ABEDEC-TCHAD, irregularities in the process have led to a protracted land conflict.
On March 25, 2018, residents of Ngonba were surprised by a purportedly fake procès-verbal from a commission led by Gaukam Claude, tasked with attributing land in the 9th arrondissement. The commission was established under orders n° 021/PR/PM/MATDHU/SG/DGUH/DU/2017 and n° 022/PR/PM/MATDHU/SG/DGUH/DU/2018. The document listed numerous beneficiaries, sparking concerns over the legitimacy of the process.
ABEDEC-TCHAD asserts that it cannot remain indifferent to the situation, describing it as an "administrative hostage" that has generated a land conflict. The association claims that these acts went unnoticed by competent authorities and that the conflict has persisted for over eight years without resolution. Mbellet also mentioned a February 27, 2017 mission to Ngonba by a team presenting itself as a land attribution commission.
The team, comprising agents from the Ministry of Territorial Planning and Urbanism, the central municipality, and the 9th arrondissement commune, allegedly allocated land in contravention of decree n° 08-1312/PR/PM/MATUH/2008. This decree established the commission for attributing land in urban areas. The association questions how individuals with allegedly fake land attributions obtained property deeds from state services.
Some landowners have sought to assert their rights through legal channels, but their efforts have been in vain. The association also expressed concern over ongoing construction on a site designated for a public health center, despite a June 3, 2025 court order and a decision on October 22, 2025, to suspend the work. Construction resumed on October 27, 2026, on a site that is neither a designated land allocation nor a lotissement zone.
The land was initially provided by a private individual for the health center, which has operated on a rental basis since its creation, under decision n° 424/PR/PM/MSP/SE/SG//DGRP/DP134/SPLAN/2016. To prevent further conflicts, ABEDEC-TCHAD is seeking intervention from top authorities, including the President, the Minister of Territorial Planning and Urbanism, and the 9th arrondissement mayor.
The association requests the annulation of allegedly fraudulent land attributions, the return of parcels to their rightful owners, and a review of the Ngonba neighborhood restructuring plan. They propose comparing the plan to completed work and, if necessary, resuming restructuring operations to make the neighborhood more accessible, particularly during the rainy season.
Key points
- ABEDEC-TCHAD denounces irregularities in Ngonba neighborhood restructuring
- Association requests government intervention to resolve land conflict
- Chad's authorities urged to review Ngonba neighborhood restructuring plan
