Faith Nyasuguta
A brazen assault on Chad’s presidential complex in the capital, N’Djamena, on Wednesday evening resulted in the deaths of 18 attackers and one security officer, according to the government.
Gunfire erupted near the presidential site around 7:45 pm local time (1845 GMT), prompting a swift response from security forces. Tanks rolled into the streets as the armed assailants attempted to breach the complex. Government spokesperson and Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah confirmed that the attackers were members of a 24-man commando unit.
“There were 18 dead and six injured among the attackers, and we suffered one death and three injured, one of them seriously,” Koulamallah told AFP. Hours after the incident, he appeared in a video, flanked by soldiers and visibly armed, stating, “The situation is completely under control… the destabilisation attempt was put down.”
Boko Haram Involvement Suspected
A security source identified the attackers as members of Boko Haram, the jihadist group Chad has been battling in the Lake Chad region, which borders Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger. Chad, a landlocked country under military rule, frequently faces attacks by the group.
The presidency was heavily guarded in the wake of the attack, with all access roads blocked. Civilians fled the city centre in panic, while armed police patrolled several locations. Tanks remained stationed around the area to ensure no further disturbances.
Timing and Context
The attack coincided with a high-profile visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who had met President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno and other senior officials earlier in the day. The motive behind the assault remains unclear, but it comes at a time of heightened tensions in Chad.
Earlier this month, Chad held a controversial general election, which the government described as a step toward civilian rule. However, the election was marred by low voter turnout and allegations of fraud from the opposition, who had called for a boycott. The absence of significant opposition left the field open for candidates aligned with President Deby.
Deby came to power in 2021 after the death of his father, Idriss Deby, who ruled Chad for over 30 years. His leadership has been characterized by efforts to consolidate power, including reshuffling the army and building new strategic alliances with countries like Russia and Hungary.
Geopolitical Shifts & Military Relations
Chad has recently seen strained relations with its former colonial power, France. In November, the country terminated its defense agreements with Paris, deeming them “obsolete.” This marked the end of Chad hosting France’s last military bases in the Sahel region. Approximately 1,000 French troops stationed in Chad are now being withdrawn, as France has faced expulsion from other Sahelian nations, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
The attack sheds a light on Chad’s precarious security situation, as it battles insurgent groups and navigates its complex transition to civilian governance. Despite being an oil producer, Chad ranks near the bottom of the United Nations Human Development Index, reflecting widespread poverty and underdevelopment.
Wednesday’s attempted assault highlights the fragility of the country’s political and security environment as it grapples with internal challenges and shifting regional dynamics.
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