N’Djamena, Chad‘s bustling capital, is rattled by the thunderous exchange of gunfire, marking the aftermath of a lethal assault on the National Security Agency’s headquarters.
The government attributes the attack to an opposition party, stating that numerous casualties have been reported in the wake of the violence. Netblocks, an internet watchdog, reports a disruption in internet connectivity across the nation.
Chad’s decision to hold presidential elections on May 6 precedes the internet disruption by a matter of hours.
“Anyone looking to disturb the democratic process under way in the country will be prosecuted and brought to justice,” the government said on Wednesday in a statement quoted by news agency AFP.
Government sources reveal the detention of individuals associated with the opposition Socialist Party Without Borders (PSF) in connection with the assault on the National Security Agency (ANSE), affirming intentions to pursue legal action.
According to Communication Minister Abderaman Koulamallah, PSF leader Yaya Dillo is accused of leading the attack; however, Dillo has not issued a statement regarding these allegations.
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N’Djamena residents recounted hearing intense gunfire close to the PSF headquarters on Wednesday, while also witnessing a convoy of military vehicles converging towards the location.
While it remains uncertain whether Mr. Dillo was among those detained, a Wednesday morning Facebook post from him claimed that the military had arrived at his party headquarters.
The government also said the PSF was involved in a recent “assassination attempt” on the president of the Supreme Court.
Mr Dillo denied any links to that attack, which he described as “staged” according to AFP.
Mr Dillo is a vocal opponent of President Mahamat Déby and is also his cousin. Mr Déby came into power in 2021 after his father was killed by rebels after three decades in power.
President Déby’s commitment to transitioning the country back to civilian governance was accompanied by a delay of over two years, extending the timeline for the return to civilian rule. The upcoming election is anticipated to mark the conclusive phase of this prolonged political transition.
President Déby has been designated as the candidate for the upcoming elections by the Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), but he has not made any public statements regarding his potential candidacy.
France, the former colonial power, has been supporting Mr. Déby since the beginning of the transition, sparking scrutiny from both domestic and international observers. Currently, France maintains approximately 1,000 troops in Chad to combat jihadist groups across the West African region.
The opposition highlights the lack of impartiality within the electoral commission, expressing apprehension over the potential continuation of the Déby dynasty.