Lake Faguibine engulfed by the desert in Chad: The population forced into exodus

“The consequences in the six municipalities that surround the lake are dramatic: the withdrawal of water has caused the cessation of fishing and the drop in pastoral and agricultural activities. The sand swallows up the dwellings of the villages of Bilal Bancor, Bintagoungou and Mbouna. "

It was in the 1970s that Lake Faguibine in Chad began to dry up following long episodes of drought. Today, 50 years later, its expanses of water and the arable land that bordered it have given way to sand dunes.

The inhabitants, who lived on the products of their fishing and breeding, who exported wood and cultivated cereals, are now forced to leave. At least half of the population has left the area.

Le International Committee of the Red Cross denounces "dramatic consequences" for the 6 municipalities near the lake.

“The consequences in the six municipalities that surround the lake are dramatic: the withdrawal of water has caused the cessation of fishing and the drop in pastoral and agricultural activities. The sand swallows up the dwellings of the villages of Bilal Bancor, Bintagoungou and Mbouna. "

Mahamadou Ousmane is a farmer. He observes the engulfing of the lake by the desert and testifies to the tensions which ensue between herders and farmers.

“Between pastoralists and farmers, there is not a day without conflict. Because the space is small, everyone wants to exploit it. This is the reason for the tensions. "

As the lake dries up, a gas now escapes from the ground and burns the few trees that had resisted, making the land uncultivable.

In front of the silted up school, and in fact closed, the mayor is worried about another danger for the village: recruitment by armed groups.

“It's a school of around 400 students. 400 students, that means a whole generation. A lost generation, a generation prepared for the exodus or for the recruitment. "

Au #Mali, Area #Timbuktu, Lake Faguibine has disappeared.

Gas now escapes from the ground and burns the last trees.

In addition to conflicts, the climate crisis threatens these communities.

New images in our #newsroom : https://t.co/TQVJiVjW3J. pic.twitter.com/1G0XSC5ELV

- ICRC Africa (@CICR_Afrique) September 29, 2021

MC