chari

Chari is a major river in Central Africa, flowing from the eastern Central African Republic northward through Chad and into Lake Chad. It is a central component of the Chad Basin’s hydrology and provides essential water resources for people, agriculture, and ecosystems in the region.

The river’s course traverses semi-arid and arid landscapes in Chad, and its waters support irrigation, fishing, and local livelihoods. In Chad, the Chari passes near population centers, including the capital city of N'Djamena, which lies on the river near its confluence with the Logone. The river's flow is seasonal, with higher discharge during the rainy season and much lower levels in the dry season, influencing agriculture, fisheries, and navigation.

Ecologically, the Chari and its floodplains host diverse habitats and support fisheries that are important for local diets and incomes. Human use and climatic variability, along with upstream water extraction, have affected water availability and the health of downstream ecosystems, including Lake Chad, which has experienced substantial changes in water level in recent decades.

Historically, the Chari has supported settlement and trade in the region, serving as a conduit for movement and exchange before and after colonial contact. Today, it remains a key geographic and economic feature in Chad and the Central African Republic, central to discussions of water management, regional development, and environmental stewardship in the Lake Chad Basin.