Nineteen people, including one soldier and 18 attackers, were killed during a brazen assault on Chad’s presidential palace in the capital, N’Djamena, on Wednesday night. Six additional assailants were apprehended after the incident, which unfolded while President Mahamat Deby Itno was inside. Officials have assured the public that the situation is fully under control.
Foreign Affairs Minister Abderaman Koulamallah, in a live broadcast from the palace late Wednesday, dismissed concerns of ongoing danger. “The situation is completely under control. There is no fear,” he said, commending the rapid response of palace guards for thwarting the attack.
Speaking to state media, Koulamallah portrayed the attackers as disorganized, claiming they were under the influence of drugs and alcohol. He suggested that the assault was not linked to terrorism but instead carried out by local youth from N’Djamena. Rumors circulated online that the militant group Boko Haram might have been involved, but no evidence has emerged to support this claim.
The timing of the attack coincided with a visit from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who had praised Chad’s return to constitutional governance earlier that day. This comes as Chad continues to grapple with political instability following President Deby Itno’s controversial election. He assumed power after the death of his father, Idriss Deby, in 2021 and governed as interim president during the country’s period of military rule.
Chad, a central African nation of nearly 18 million people, has long been at the epicenter of regional instability, facing threats from insurgent groups and ongoing political tension. While this latest attack does not appear to be tied to terrorism, Chad remains vulnerable due to its proximity to Boko Haram activity in neighboring countries such as Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon.
As investigations into the incident continue, authorities are working to identify the attackers and their motives, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance during this turbulent time.
