Ahead of Chad’s presidential elections, the government disclosed a lethal assault on the premises of Chad’s internal security agency in N’Djamena, resulting in multiple fatalities. The attack has been linked to “elements” from the opposition party, Socialist Party Without Borders (PSF). In a rapid reaction, the Chadian government deployed military forces around the PSF’s headquarters and established security around the vicinity of the national security agency.
The attack was reportedly a reaction to the arrest of a PSF member, who was accused by the government of attempting to assassinate the president of the Supreme Court. The government’s statement described the event as a “deliberate attack by accomplices of this individual led by elements of the PSF,” indicating a significant escalation in the political tension within the country.
The government has assured that the situation is now “completely under control,” with the perpetrators arrested or being actively pursued for prosecution. This incident occurs in the context of a highly charged political atmosphere, with Chad’s transitional president, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, and his cousin, Yaya Dillo of the PSF, both slated to contest in the upcoming presidential election on May 6.
Yaya Dillo has dismissed the government’s allegations as “staged,” intensifying the political discourse. The Chadian government, on its part, has reaffirmed its commitment to the democratic process, warning that anyone seeking to disrupt it will face justice.
This confrontation comes during a crucial period for Chad, as the country navigates a transitional phase following the death of long-time leader Idriss Deby Itno in 2021. Mahamat Deby Itno’s ascension to power was meant to be temporary, with promises of returning to civilian rule through elections. However, the transition period was extended, adding to the political unrest and dissatisfaction among opposition parties and civil society groups.
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