At least 60 dead in Chad’s anti-government protests

A government spokesman said at least 60 people were killed in anti-government protests in Chad. According to the authorities, about 30 people died in the capital, N’Djamena, as they were shot by security forces. Protest organizers say 40 people have died.

At about 3 p.m. local time, protesters took to the streets with whistles in the capital. Police fired tear gas at the protesters, but their numbers continued to increase. Then I opened fire on them. The Prime Minister talks about an armed uprising and claims that the security forces shot the demonstrators in self-defence.

Demonstrations were also held in Moundou, the country’s second largest city. An unidentified government official told the Associated Press news agency that at least 30 people were killed there. It was also reported that 60 people were injured. Moreover, the people took to the streets in the cities of Duba and Al-Sarh.

The demonstrators expressed their dissatisfaction with what they see as an undemocratic situation. The army ruled Chad for eighteen months. It was announced last week that military commander Mohamed Idriss Deby, who was already in power, had been appointed as the country’s interim president for a term of two years. The protesters are calling for early elections.

Deby succeeded his father last April, who ruled the country with heavy rule for nearly thirty years. Since then, there have been many riots and demonstrations, but today they are the bloodiest to date.