In Chad, violent confrontations broke out on Thursday 20 October between police and protesters in the capital N’Djamena. A few hundred people gathered this morning at the call of the opposition to protest against Mahamat Déby Itno’s continued rule.
The demonstrations are directed against Chad’s transitional military government and the instigators are calling for a return to civilian rule as soon as possible. Despite being banned, the protesters used burning tyres to block roads in the capital, overriding government orders. They also attacked public buildings, the governorate, the headquarters of the Prime Minister’s party and that of the President of the National Assembly.
To disperse the crowd and restore calm, the police and army were deployed. Thus, live ammunition was fired irregularly. According to the provisional balance sheet, these demonstrations cost the lives of around 30 people and left several others injured. In this batch, members of the police force and a journalist were also killed.
In view of this situation, France and also the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, have strongly condemned these acts of repression. Paris even denied any involvement.
These demonstrations are taking place at a time when the initial transition timetable was due to end today, Thursday 20 October. A date on which Mahamat Déby Itno is supposed to return power to civilians, after democratic elections, after proclaiming himself president of the transition following the death of his father on 20 April 2021. But the inclusive and sovereign national dialogue that took place in the country from 20 August to 8 October last year extended the duration of the transition by another two years and kept him as president of the transition. This is contested by the opposition and civil society.
