The Prime Minister issued a midnight curfew in three Chadian cities, N’Djamena, Moundou, Doba, and Koumra, after prohibited protests occurred and were forcefully put down.
At least 60 people were killed and numerous others were injured on Thursday as security forces opened fire on protesters in the two major cities in the nation.
The demonstrators called for the removal of Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, who assumed power after the murder of his father 18 months ago.
The 38-year-old general was appointed as the transition’s leader following a national conference, and he later established what he dubbed a unity government.
The inaugural cabinet meeting was place on the same day. Regarding the most recent deadly demonstration in the nation, the president made no comments.
His Prime minister announced a night-time curfew until the “total restoration of order”.
Criticisms of the use of deadly force
However, the African Union (AU) and the UN were among the organizations who spoke out against the use of fatal force against people on a global scale.
“I firmly condemn the crackdown that has caused many deaths in Chad”, AU chair of the commission Moussa Faki Mahamat wrote on Twitter.
“I call on all parties to respect human lives […] to choose a peaceful pathway to overcome this crisis”, he concluded.
“We call on the authorities to ensure that the security, safety, and human rights of all Chadians, including the right of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association, are respected”, the spokesman for the United Nations chief urged.
“We also call on all parties to refrain from violence or excessive use of force and to remain committed to the spirit of dialogue in the interest of peace and stability in the country”, Stéphane Dujarric added.
According to testimonies by witnesses, demonstrators began to blow whistles at 3 a.m. all over the capital of N’Djamena. They could be heard chanting slogans like: “Chad, we want equality, we want justice!”
Police opened fire with tear gas as the protesters advanced and swelled in size.
Security forces then started shooting.
According to the chadian prime minister, most of the fatalities happened in N’Djamena and the southern cities of Moundou and Koumra.
Aziz Mahamat Saleh, the government’s spokesman, charged that the protestors had broken into government buildings and that their gathering had turned violent.
A protester took the French President to take: “Macron, take heed, listen to the voice of the people”, the man said. “Today, if we are doing this, it’s because of you, France.”
Witnesses said that several of the over 300 wounded patients showed evidence of torture when they arrived at the hospital.
Unknown at this time is the precise death toll.
Among the victims is journalist Narcisse Oredje, who was shot.
