Chad Bans Protests Over Fears of Terrorism

The Chadian junta has warned of an impending militant attack in the capital, N’Djamena, amid rising tensions caused by opposition protests.

“There is a very high terrorist alert in the city of N’Djamena, which has forced us to ban all public demonstrations,” Communication Minister Abdreman Koulamallah said.

The alert was issued in response to reports that “three terrorists, most likely from Boko Haram, infiltrated N’Djamena over the weekend.”

According to official sources, the suspected militants are still at large. The heavy deployment of security forces on major roads in N’Djamena fueled rumors of an impending attack.

In 2015, a Boko Haram attack in N’Djamena killed at least 38 people and injured dozens more.

Meanwhile, on May 16 thousands of Chadians embarked on anti-French protests launched by the opposition coalition Wakit Tama on Saturday, May 14.

Protesters are against France’s military presence in the country as well as interim President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, who has been in charge since his father died in 2021.

They are said to have targeted “symbols” of their old colonial power, such as several Total gas stations.

Students dominated the rally, with many riding motorcycles and screaming “France get out.”

Idriss Déby Itno, the country’s former president, ran an authoritarian dictatorship for 30 years before being slain in battle on April 20, 2021, during a rebellion in the country’s north.

Hundreds of protestors came to the streets of the capital and neighboring towns in an anti-French rally that resulted in the destruction of some French-linked shops. Chadian police shot tear gas and used water canon to disperse them.

The rally was organised by the Chadian civil society alliance Wakit Tamma to oppose France’s support for the Transitional Military Council, which seized power after President Idriss Deby was killed on the battlefield in April 2021.