Chad announces several deaths after foiled intelligence office attack
The government of Chad disclosed on Wednesday that a nighttime assault on the headquarters of the country’s internal security agency in N’Djamena, the capital, resulted in the loss of several lives.
Authorities attributed the attack to “elements” associated with an opposition faction. While holding the opposition Socialist Party Without Borders (PSF), led by Yaya Dillo, accountable for the aggression against the agency, known as ANSE, the government assured that the situation is now under control. It emphasized that the individuals responsible for the act have either been apprehended or are being pursued for legal action. However, the official statement did not specify the exact number of casualties.
The government’s announcement followed the arrest of a PSF member on charges of attempting to assassinate the president of the Supreme Court. In response, the military has been deployed to secure the primary office of the PSF, with all routes leading to ANSE cordoned off. Despite these measures, Dillo rebuked the purported assassination attempt against the Supreme Court president as being “staged.”
The attack on ANSE occurred shortly after the declaration that Chad will conduct a presidential election on May 6. Both Yaya Dillo, representing the opposition, and Chad’s interim President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, a prominent contender, have expressed their intentions to participate in the electoral process. Notably, the two contenders are cousins.
Deby Itno ascended to power following the demise of his father, Idriss Deby Itno, who was killed during combat with insurgents in 2021, concluding a reign of three decades. Initially committed to transitioning authority to an elected administration within 18 months, the younger Deby postponed the election to the current year due to unmet deadlines.
