Gunshots were heard near the Presidential Palace in N’Djamena, Chad, late Wednesday, shortly after a key meeting between Chadian Prime Minister Allamaye Halina and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The gunfire erupted around 8 PM local time, leading to a violent clash that left over a dozen dead. The government confirmed that 18 of the 24 attackers were killed during the failed raid on the president’s office, with one security officer also losing their life.
Chadian Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah reassured the public that the situation was under control, emphasizing that soldiers were securing the president. He appeared alongside soldiers in a Facebook live broadcast, ensuring the public that there was no cause for alarm.
The shooting follows recent parliamentary elections, which aimed to restore democracy but were boycotted by the main opposition. The results, still pending, could further consolidate President Mahamat Deby Itno’s hold on power, with analysts suggesting that the elections may strengthen his position. Deby Itno, who took power in 2021 after the death of his father, faces ongoing criticism over the legitimacy of his rule, particularly after his election last year.
In the wake of the violence, the meeting between Halina and Wang Yi emphasized the growing bilateral ties between Chad and China. Wang Yi expressed confidence in the continuation of mutually beneficial cooperation, particularly after the Chadian president’s attendance at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing last year. The two countries elevated their relations to a strategic partnership, with promises to deepen cooperation in areas critical to Chad’s development.
Prime Minister Halina reaffirmed Chad’s commitment to prioritizing its relationship with China in its foreign policy and supporting China’s stance on global issues, including the one-China policy.