Chad’s public prosecutor confirmed on Thursday that a foiled attack on the presidential compound in the capital, N’Djamena, was carried out by a group of two dozen armed individuals. The attackers, described as “ill-intentioned,” were neutralized by security forces.
The incident unfolded on Wednesday night, when bursts of gunfire were heard near the presidential office. The military responded by blocking surrounding streets. The government later stated that the attack was part of an attempt to destabilize the country but assured that the situation was under control.
The foiled attack comes at a sensitive time for Chad, which recently ended its defense cooperation pact with France, its long-time Western ally in the fight against Islamist militants in the Sahel region. The region has faced insurgencies from groups linked to Islamic State, al-Qaeda, and Boko Haram for over a decade.
According to the public prosecutor, the 24 armed assailants approached the presidential palace on Wednesday evening, feigned a breakdown, and attacked security guards at the gate. Two guards were killed, and five others were injured. Security forces killed 18 of the attackers and wounded six, who were taken to the hospital.
Investigations are ongoing to identify the masterminds and accomplices of the attack. Abderaman Koulamallah, government spokesperson, mentioned that the attackers appeared intoxicated and disorganized, carrying only knives and machetes, and suggested it was “probably not” a terrorist act.
While the exact motive remains unclear, security sources speculated that the attack might be linked to jihadist groups, ethnic tensions, or the ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan. However, it is still too early to draw conclusions.
On Thursday morning, N’Djamena returned to calm, though military forces continued to block access to neighborhoods around the presidential palace. President Mahamat Idriss Deby, who took power after the death of his father, long-time president Idriss Deby, is facing high tensions in the country.
Enrica Picco, an expert at Crisis Group, noted that the swift response by security forces indicated that the presidency was on high alert due to the presence of numerous enemies seeking to challenge or replace Deby’s administration.
