Introduction
By Ordinance No. 002/PCMT/2022 dated July 22, 2022, the government of Chad approved the creation of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) across the country. Activities are already underway in the Logone Occidental province. However, the project is currently embroiled in a dispute involving developers, local residents, and the Agency for the Administration of Special Economic Zones (AAZES).
Cattle Parking Area
Chad’s economy relies heavily on agriculture and livestock. In 2024, the authorities launched a strategy to capitalize on national resources, particularly livestock. Three designated Special Economic Zones were selected for development. The contract was awarded to PAMCO-SA-CA. In Logone Occidental, 100 hectares of farmland were seized from local farmers under the justification of public interest. Shockingly, the surrounding population had no knowledge whatsoever of what was happening on the ground.
Farmers’ Rights Violated
Southern Chad is known as the country’s agricultural hub. Over 70% of households rely on agricultural products for survival. With a growing population and decreasing farmland, the appropriation of 100 hectares for an economic project is seen as depriving thousands of people of their food source. The harsh reality is that these farmers received no compensation from the developers. Outraged by what they see as a form of injustice, the local population is mobilizing to demand their rights in the coming days.
Civil Society Demands Compensation
Several civil society organizations have denounced this injustice and called for fair compensation to be paid to those affected but in vain. From political party leaders to traditional chiefs, repeated appeals for justice have gone unanswered.
Developers Turn a Deaf Ear
The government had hoped that the Logone Industrial Slaughterhouse Complex would boost the national economy, supplying meat and by-products (skins, horns, hooves) to the sub-region and beyond. However, despite operations already starting, it has emerged that the contract transfer from national partner LAHAM to PAMCO-SA-CA did not comply with proper administrative procedures.
AAZES Responds
The farmers’ protests eventually reached the national authorities. A delegation led by Mahamat Maï Hassan, head of AAZES, visited the site in Logone Occidental to investigate. After discussions, AAZES acknowledged the procedural issues and called on the developers to restart the proper administrative process in order to avoid suspension of the work. “The situation is irregular, but it can be resolved quickly. We will summon our partner, Laham Chad, which transferred on a somewhat political lease a piece of land it does not own to PAMCO, and urge them to reconsider legal administrative procedures for the general interest,” said AAZES Director Mahamat Maï Hassan.
