A convoy of Chadian military vehicles, tanks, bullet-proof vehicles and pick-ups, accompanied by combat helicopters, crossed the Chari River on January 17, 2015, to reach Kousseri. “Our forces are crossing the border today and tomorrow they will be operational,” stated the Chadian Head of State, Idriss Déby Itno, reinforcing Cameroonian forces to fight the advancement of the Nigerian Islamic sect, Boko Haram, which has now been conducting daily incursions in Cameroon.

The arrival of Chadian soldiers in this crusade against Boko Haram was welcomed on January 17, 2015 in the Extreme-North region of Cameroon with applause. “I call on other CEEAC countries to constitute a large coalition to combat Boko Haram (…) We responded to Paul Biya’s request. We cannot be indifferent to what is happening to our neighbours. Cameroon is the economic point of entry and exit to Chad and we are the closest and the most concerned about what is going on in there (…) Cameroon must not face this awful scourge alone which has hurt the innocent people of Cameroon and Nigeria so badly,” stated President Déby of Chad.