Ndjamena, Chad – Following the announcement of a presidential election in Chad on May 6, an overnight attack on the offices of the country’s internal security agency in the capital, N’Djamena, resulted in several casualties, according to the government on Wednesday. The government attributed the assault on the National State Security Agency (ANSE) to elements associated with an opposition party.
The government pointed fingers at activists from the opposition Socialist Party Without Borders (PSF), led by Yaya Dillo, for the attack. While some individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident, the total number of deaths was not disclosed in the government’s statement.
Tensions escalated further when a member of the PSF, Ahmed Torabi, was arrested for allegedly plotting an assassination attempt against the president of the Supreme Court. However, Dillo dismissed the accusations, labeling the attack as staged.
The situation intensified when soldiers allegedly opened fire on a group of PSF members near the security agency, resulting in deaths. The conflict continued as the army surrounded the main office of the PSF and blocked off roads leading to ANSE.
Reports indicated sporadic gunshots near the opposition party’s office and restrictions on internet access in parts of the capital. Despite the government acknowledging multiple casualties, the exact number of deaths remains undisclosed. The incident occurred shortly after the announcement of the upcoming presidential election in Chad.
The presidential race is expected to feature opposition figure Yaya Dillo, known for his rivalry with Chad’s transitional President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, who assumed power following his father’s death in 2021. Deby Itno had committed to transitioning to an elected government within 18 months but postponed the election to this year.
As the security operations persist and tensions rise in N’Djamena, the aftermath of the attack underscores the political volatility in Chad amidst the impending presidential election. The clash between rival factions poses challenges for the country’s stability and the democratic process moving forward.