Chad’s Transitional President, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno has replaced the country’s chief of police, head of the gendarmerie, and a number of other senior officers three weeks after a deadly crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.
Inside sources said it is an attempt to have a firmer grip on power. General Mahamat initially planned to oversee an electoral process and step down. However, recently, he announced he was extending his rule by another two years.
An announcement that was greeted with nationwide protest by citizens who trooped out demanding a return to civilian rule.
Several civilians were gunned down in a crackdown against the protests leading to international condemnations and a crisis summit of central African leaders.