Chad's government reassures citizens after gunfire near the presidential palace; incidents stem from clashes with terrorist elements, insists Foreign Minister Koulamallah.
Chadian Officials Address Gunfire Incident in N'Djamena, Assure Public of Stability
Chadian Officials Address Gunfire Incident in N'Djamena, Assure Public of Stability
Foreign Minister Koulamallah downplays recent clashes, reinforcing government control and calm in the capital.
The government of Chad has dismissed concerns over recent gunfire in the capital city of N'Djamena, emphasizing that the situation remains stable. Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah, appearing in a video recorded at the presidential palace, referred to the occurrence as a “little incident” and stated that “everything is calm.”
Reports from insiders in the Chadian government have indicated that the clashes involved security forces engaging with what were described as “terrorist elements.” According to the French news agency AFP, Koulamallah reported that 18 assailants and one member of the security forces were killed in the skirmish.
Since achieving independence from France in 1960, Chad has been a country fraught with conflict, experiencing continuous instability, particularly recent confrontations between government troops and the Islamist insurgent group Boko Haram. The current leadership, under President Mahamat Déby—who stepped into power following his father Idriss Déby's death in 2021—has faced mounting challenges.
In the aftermath of the clash, military tanks were deployed in the vicinity, and access roads to the palace were sealed, according to reports. In the social media video, Koulamallah can be seen accompanied by government security personnel, declaring, “Nothing serious has happened,” and reassuring the public of their commitment to protect the country “at the price of our blood.”
He further confirmed to AFP that the assault was carried out by a 24-member commando unit, noting that six attackers were injured and three government forces also sustained injuries. The confrontation occurred shortly after a diplomatic visit from China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who had discussions with Déby and top officials.
Chad's political landscape continues to evolve as the nation recently conducted parliamentary elections touted by the government as a move toward civilian governance. However, opposition voices have alleged electoral fraud and called for a boycott during the election. In a related move, Chad terminated its military agreement with France in November as part of efforts to assert national sovereignty amidst regional unrest, particularly in nations like Mali, Niger, and Sudan where coups have become common in the recent years.
