Protests Rock N’Djamena As Chadians Demand Civilian Rule

At least five people have been killed in violent protests in Chad on Tuesday as demonstrators took to the streets demanding a return to civilian rule after the military took over government last week.

The capital’s prosecutor Youssouf Tom said there were four deaths in N’Djamena,” including “one killed by the demonstrators, while another person was killed in a separate incident in the country’s second city Moundou, some 400 kilometres south of N’Djamena.

Tuesday’s unrest highlights the tense atmosphere following Deby’s death in Chad, where the military transition is already struggling to win over a wary population.

Some opposition politicians have called the military takeover a coup and asked supporters to protest, even as the army appointed a civilian politician, Albert Pahimi Padacke, as prime minister of a transitional government on Monday.

The military council banned protests in a statement Monday evening, saying no demonstrations that could lead to disorder were allowed while the country was still in mourning.

However, the council, headed by Deby’s son Mahamat Idriss Deby who was declared president, has said it will oversee an 18-month transition to elections.

Meanwhile, the African Union has expressed “grave concern” about the military takeover, while France, the former colonial ruler, and some of Chad’s neighbours are pushing for a civilian-military solution.