• At least 42 people have died in eastern Chad due to clashes over a water dispute.
• The violence erupted in Wadi Fira province and has led to army intervention.
• Chadian authorities are establishing a mediation process and judicial proceedings.

In eastern Chad, at least 42 people have been killed and 10 injured due to violent clashes that originated from a dispute between two families over access to water resources in Wadi Fira province. The violence escalated into a series of reprisal attacks that involved wider communities, leading to troop deployment to restore order, according to BBC, Africanews, and Al Jazeera.

Deputy Prime Minister Limane Mahamat confirmed the death toll during a visit to the scene, describing the army's involvement as a response to contain the escalating violence. The situation is reportedly “under control” following military intervention. Mahamat stated that the injured individuals were evacuated to a health center for treatment, as confirmed by Africanews and Al Jazeera.

Chadian authorities have indicated plans for a "customary mediation process" to address the underlying issues and open judicial proceedings to determine criminal liability. This approach aims to mitigate similar clashes fueled by competition over scarce resources, which have been the cause of violence in the country for many years, according to BBC and Africanews.

The border region's instability has worsened due to an influx of refugees escaping the war in neighboring Sudan, which has intensified competition for resources. The Chadian government had already closed the border with Sudan in February to prevent further escalation of conflict from spilling into Chadian territory, as reported by BBC, Africanews, and Al Jazeera.