Gunfire broke out on Wednesday evening near the presidential palace in N’Djamena, Chad’s capital, with a heavy security presence and tanks deployed on the streets.
A security source confirmed that armed men had attacked the interior of the presidential compound, though no official statement has been made by the authorities as of yet.
As the situation unfolded, all roads leading to the presidency were blocked, and tanks were seen patrolling the capital. Civilians fled the area, taking to cars and motorcycles as armed police were deployed at multiple points in the city center.
This incident comes less than two weeks after Chad held a contested general election, hailed by the government as a step towards ending military rule. However, the election was marked by low voter turnout and opposition claims of fraud.
The attack also follows a backdrop of ongoing insecurity, including attacks by the jihadist group Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region, the termination of a military accord with France, and accusations of Chad’s involvement in the Sudanese conflict.
Earlier on Wednesday, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi had met with President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno and senior officials in Chad.
The political instability in Chad is compounded by its recent diplomatic shift, including the end of military agreements with France, and the ongoing process of the withdrawal of French troops. This marks a significant reconfiguration of France’s military presence in the Sahel region, following the expulsion of its forces from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
Deby, who came to power in 2021 after the death of his father, has faced criticism for autocratic governance. He has also sought to consolidate power within the military and forge new diplomatic partnerships, notably with Russia and Hungary.
