Foiled Assault on Presidential Palace Stirs Up Coup Fears in Chad
At least 18 armed fighters and one Chadian soldier were killed during the attack.
Security forces killed at least 18 persons attempting to attack the presidential complex in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad on Wednesday evening, Jan. 8.
A Chadian soldier was also killed during an exchange of gunfire between the assailants and the security agents guarding the presidential palace. The country’s government spokesperson and Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah claimed it was an assault by some unknown terror group, but locals feared it might just be another failed coup attempt.
“Nothing serious, no panic, the situation is under control,” the minister declared.
“No disquiet. The situation is under control.”
The fire exchange between the heavily armed group and the presidential security guards lasted about one hour before the situation was brought under control by defence and security forces, according to official government sources.
“There were 18 deaths and six wounded on the side of the assailants and we regret losing one person and three wounded, with one seriously injured,” a military source revealed.
The identity of the assailants remains doubtful but military and judicial authorities are expected to make authoritative statements concerning the attack. Attacks of this nature are common in Chad, but President Mahamat Idriss Deby has not made an official statement on the latest one. Deby took over the county’s leadership after rebels killed his father, Idriss Deby, in 2021.
However, Agence France-Presse, a global French news agency, reports that the attackers were members of the Boko Haram terrorists. The attack comes less than two weeks after Chad held a general election, a step towards ending military rule that was marked by low turnout and opposition allegations of fraud.
The latest attack stirred up fear of a coup attempt in the country at a time when citizens were yearning for a democratic government after years of military rule.
Security forces in Chad killed at least 18 assailants attempting to attack the presidential complex in the capital, N'Djamena, on January 8.
The clash, which included a gunfire exchange lasting about an hour, resulted in the death of one Chadian soldier and injuries on both sides.
Authorities suspect involvement of an unknown terrorist group, while locals fear it signifies a failed coup attempt.
The attack occurred shortly after Chad's general election and amidst calls for democratic governance following years of military rule. While the identity of the attackers is uncertain, Agence France-Presse claims they were Boko Haram members. President Mahamat Idriss Deby, who assumed power after his father's death in 2021, has yet to comment on the incident.
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