Authorities in Chad are investigating a foiled assault on the presidential compound in the capital, N’Djamena, carried out by a group of 24 armed individuals. The public prosecutor confirmed that security forces neutralized the attackers, who had attempted to storm the compound on Wednesday night.
Gunfire erupted near the president’s office as military forces quickly sealed off surrounding streets. The government later stated that the attack had been thwarted, assuring that the situation was under control.
This incident comes at a sensitive time for Chad, which recently terminated a defense agreement with France, its long-standing partner in combatting Islamist militants across the Sahel region.
The attackers reportedly approached the compound under the guise of a vehicle breakdown, launching an assault on security guards at the entrance. Two guards were killed, and five others were injured during the attack. Security forces eliminated 18 of the assailants, while six others were wounded and hospitalized.
The attack’s motivations remain unclear, with some speculating links to jihadist groups, ethnic tensions, or the instability stemming from the conflict in neighboring Sudan. Early reports suggest the assailants were disorganized, with some appearing intoxicated, and were armed only with knives and machetes. A government spokesperson ruled out terrorism as a probable cause.
The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions within the country, as President Mahamat Idriss Deby’s regime grapples with multiple internal and external pressures. Investigations are underway to identify the masterminds and accomplices behind the attack.
Despite the events, calm returned to N’Djamena by Thursday morning, with no additional gunfire reported overnight. Military personnel continue to restrict access to certain neighborhoods near the presidential palace.
Enrica Picco, an expert from the Crisis Group, noted that the swift response by security forces indicated the palace was on high alert, suggesting ongoing tensions surrounding President Deby’s rule.
