A violent assault on Chad’s presidential palace on Wednesday night resulted in 19 deaths, including 18 attackers and one soldier, with three others injured. The attack occurred while President Mahamat Deby Itno was inside the palace but was swiftly brought under control by palace guards and security forces.
Foreign Affairs Minister Abderaman Koulamallah appeared in a live Facebook broadcast from the palace shortly after the incident, reassuring the public that the situation was under control and there was no ongoing threat. “The situation is completely under control. There is no fear,” Koulamallah said, flanked by soldiers, as he addressed concerns over the attack’s aftermath. He praised the palace guards for their vigilance, describing the assailants as disorganized and under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
The attackers were reportedly local youths from the capital, N’Djamena, and Koulamallah dismissed rumors circulating on social media that the assault was linked to the Islamic militant group Boko Haram. The foreign minister suggested that the attack was not a case of terrorism, clarifying that the assailants were not connected to any organized extremist group.
The assault came on the same day that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Chad. During his visit, he congratulated President Deby Itno for reestablishing constitutional order following a controversial presidential election. Deby Itno had assumed the presidency in 2021 as interim leader after the death of his father, former President Idriss Deby, who had ruled the country for over three decades.
Chad, which has been grappling with political turmoil since the death of its longtime president, continues to face challenges related to security and governance. The country, home to nearly 18 million people, has experienced instability following Deby Itno’s contested election victory and subsequent military-led government. This attack on the presidential palace further highlights the fragile state of security in Chad, amid rising tensions and the growing threat of extremist violence across the region.
While the full details of the attackers’ motivations remain unclear, authorities have stated that investigations are ongoing. The deadly assault has added to the already tense atmosphere in Chad, with many questioning the stability of the government and its ability to secure the nation from internal and external threats.
Chad’s government, however, has continued to maintain control of the situation. The country’s military forces are on high alert, and officials are working to ensure that the attack does not lead to further instability in the region.
