Chad’s Prime Minister, Saleh Kebzabo
No fewer than 100 people have been killed in Chad’s capital, Ndjamena, over the last twenty-four hours.
Thousands of people defied a protest ban and took to the streets of the capital to denounce the transitional military government’s failure to turn power over to civilian rule.
Police used tear gas to break up the rampaging demonstrations, while gunfire was also heard.
Prime Minister Saleh Kebzabo, who addressed a press conference late on Thursday, said at least 300 people were reportedly injured,
The irate protesters had, in some cases, set up roadblocks and burned tyres.
The Prime Minister also alluded to an armed uprising that security forces should have put down, adding that the protests were also reported from three smaller towns.
He imposed a curfew between midnight and 6 am (2300 and 0500 GMT).
Meanwhile, the African Union condemned the violence and the attendant deaths that occurred.
French Foreign Ministry in a statement took a swipe at the Chadian government’s “use of deadly weapons against demonstrators.”
France also denied any involvement in the crisis in Chad, amid claims
particularly on social media, that the interim president is being supported by France.
The clashes erupted after Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, president of the Transitional Military Council, said it would be another two years before civilians could take charge.
Déby was sworn into the position a little more than a week ago.
Oil-rich but poverty-stricken Chad has been in a political transition since the April 2021 death of long-time ruler Idriss Déby Itno, the father of the current president.
The iron-fisted leader was killed by rebels seeking to overthrow his government.
