This Friday, March 20, 2026, the Ngoumati prayer ground in Kousseri was the site of an Eid el-Fitr celebration marked by fervor and unity. Hundreds of worshipers gathered to mark the end of Ramadan, in the presence of Sultan Mahamat Abba 2 and the Prefect of Logone and Chari, Mathias Tayem Fombele.
Ngoumati, located in the heart of Kousseri, the capital of the Logone and Chari department, was transformed into a place of communion from dawn. Men, women, and children, dressed in immaculate clothes, converged on the prayer ground for the great Eid el-Fitr prayer, which marks the end of 30 days of fasting.
Sultan Mahamat Abba 2, surrounded by the Muslim elites of the city, presided over the ceremony alongside Prefect Mathias Tayem Fombele, representing the administrative authority. This joint presence symbolizes the close link between traditional power, spirituality, and the State in this sensitive region of the Far North.
"This celebration is a reminder that unity is our strength," was heard among the faithful after the prayer. This message of peace and cohesion resonates particularly strongly in Kousseri, an area facing security challenges related to its proximity to Lake Chad. The Lake Chad region has struggled with insecurity issues for decades, including highway robberies, kidnapping, and banditry. These issues have been compounded by the rise of terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), causing widespread violence and instability.
In 2024, the Global Terrorism Index ranked the Lake Chad region countries among the 10 least safe countries on the continent. Drought affecting Lake Chad exacerbates the problems, turning the area into a hotbed of terrorism. Decreasing water resources exacerbate tensions between communities and facilitate recruitment by armed groups.
Despite these challenges, the celebration of Eid el-Fitr in Kousseri was a moment of gathering and reaffirmation of unity. Faith continues to play an essential role in promoting social cohesion in this region of the Far North.
