Chad’s capital erupts in gunfire as presidential poll draws closer
Chad witnessed a brief chaotic situation on Wednesday after gunfire erupted in the capital, N’Djamena, near the headquarters of an opposition party.
This followed earlier clashes near the country’s internal security agency, resulting in multiple casualties, according to Reuters news agency.
The escalation of violence comes amidst heightened tensions ahead of a presidential election scheduled for May and June, raising concerns about the country’s transition to constitutional governance following military rule for the past three years.
Communication Minister Abderaman Koulamallah explained that the earlier attack on the National Security Agency (ANSE) buildings was led by the leader of the opposition Socialist Party Without Borders (PSF), Mr Yaya Dillo.
Dillo, however, denied he was there, telling AFP the accusation was intended to instill fear in him ahead of the election.
The opposition countered the government’s account of the incident while alleging that they had been the ones to come under attack from soldiers while trying to retrieve the body of their colleague Ahmed Torabi.
The government noted that Mr Torabi had attempted to assassinate the president of the Supreme Court, an allegation denied by the opposition, dismissing it as “staged.”
Relative calm has since returned to the country following the violent confrontations.
Chad is currently led by President Mahamat Déby, who came into power in 2021 after his father was murdered by rebels after three decades in power.
The Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS) has nominated President Déby as its candidate for the forthcoming elections, although he has not made any public statements regarding his candidacy.
