Chads Government Reports Deaths In Foiled Attack
Eighteen attackers and one presidential guard were killed during an attempted assault on Chad’s presidential complex in N’Djamena on Wednesday night. According to government spokesperson and foreign minister Abderaman Koulamallah, the assailants attempted to breach the compound while President Mahamat Déby Itno was inside.
The incident occurred at approximately 8 PM local time, accompanied by heavy gunfire that resonated through the central parts of the Chadian capital. Koulamallah later addressed the situation via a live broadcast, assuring citizens that the assault had been neutralized and describing it as a failed destabilization attempt.
Details provided by the government revealed that the attackers, numbering 24, arrived at the complex in a small convoy. Their vehicles reportedly broke down at the entrance, forcing them to advance on foot. Armed with knives and machetes, they overpowered four entrance guards, killing one and injuring two. However, the attackers were swiftly countered by armed guards within the compound, resulting in the deaths of 18 individuals and the capture of six others.
Despite Chad’s history of militant insurgencies linked to groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State affiliates, Koulamallah stated that this attack appeared to lack any terrorist connections. Instead, he described the perpetrators as disorganized individuals from a specific neighborhood in N’Djamena, dismissing the event as chaotic and poorly executed.
The timing of the incident has raised questions, occurring shortly after China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, visited Chad and a week after parliamentary elections boycotted by key opposition parties. These developments add to the challenges faced by President Déby, who assumed leadership in 2021 following the death of his father, Idriss Déby Itno. The elder Déby had ruled Chad for three decades following a military coup.
Chad remains one of Africa’s most resource-rich yet economically struggling nations. The country’s strategic position in the Sahel has historically made it a critical ally in regional counterterrorism efforts. However, Chad recently ended its defense cooperation agreement with France, marking a shift in its geopolitical alliances.
This incident highlights the ongoing instability within Chad, where security concerns and political unrest remain persistent. For more context on Chad’s political and security challenges, consult resources specializing in African geopolitics and conflict analysis.
