At least 50 people have died and another 300 were injured in a wave of demonstrations that began on Wednesday in Chad, sparked by a decision from President Mahamat Idriss Deby to solidify his hold on power for the next two years.
Radio France Internationale reported that Chad’s interim prime minister, Saleh Kebzabo, used a speech to criticize the protesters, accusing them of organizing a genuine armed popular uprising. The Chad news portal Alwihda Info quoted Kebzabo saying the Government of the Republic of Chad would restore order across the region and would not tolerate extremism from any source.
Security forces violently suppressed the unrest, with casualties mounting in the capital, N’Djamena, and in Moundou, Chad’s second-largest city. The Tchadinfos portal noted that demonstrators attacked public buildings, including the Governor’s Office and the National Union for Development and Renewal (UNDR) headquarters—the political formation associated with the transitional prime minister.
On Thursday Kebzabo ordered a curfew in the capital and in Doba and Koumra, towns near Moundou. The curfew, set to run from 18:00 to 06:00 local time, was described by N’Djamena’s mayor Ali Haroun as a call for calm and a demonstration of moderation and patriotism. The region has already faced flooding from the Logone and Chari rivers.
Idriss Deby took office in April of last year after his father Idriss Deby Itno was killed during a military operation against rebels after three decades in power. The current ruler had promised to restore civilian rule after 18 months, a mandate that is now expiring this month.
international reactions
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, via Chad news portals, condemned the use of force against demonstrators and urged authorities to guarantee human rights protections. The UN body called for calm and moderation on both sides and asked the Government of Chad to ensure freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, while stating that reported violations should be investigated.
Moussa Faki Mahamat, a former Chad president and the chair of the African Union Commission, condemned the suppression of protesters and urged all parties to respect human life while supporting peaceful pathways to resolve the crisis.
France issued a diplomatic statement echoing the condemnation of violence, noting that police used lethal force against protesters. Paris stressed that France does not intervene in Chad’s domestic policy and rejected any misinformation related to the protests.
4 dead in front of US embassy
The U.S. State Department condemned the clashes between security forces and protesters and called for accountability. A spokesperson urged de-escalation and warned against violence. Reports indicated that four people died near the U.S. Embassy when civilians blocked police checkpoints with private vehicles. A U.S. spokesperson condemned the unauthorized use of embassy property by demonstrators and urged restraint across the country.
Washington urged restraint nationwide and underscored the importance of dialogue and human rights. It stressed the need for respect for the African Union Peace and Security Council’s directives and reiterated support for Chad’s people as they pursue a peaceful transition to democracy with independent oversight and timely elections.
live ammunition concerns
Amnesty International highlighted the violence, emphasizing that the use of force must be strictly necessary and proportionate and that firearms should be used only in imminent danger of death or serious harm. Early testimony collected by AI suggested that security forces fired live rounds at protesters, with Samira Daoud, the organization’s regional director for West and Central Africa, noting that the death toll included several dozen people, among them a child. Amnesty urged Chad’s authorities to halt the excessive use of force and to protect the right to peaceful assembly as guaranteed by international law. AI also called on investigators to identify those responsible for illegal killings and ensure justice, while stressing the need for a prompt, independent inquiry to restore trust in security operations.