In Chad, tensions appear to be rising on Friday, April 2, more than a week before the first round of presidential elections. The home of opponent Saleh Kebzabo, who withdrew his candidacy against outgoing President Idriss Déby Itno, who was vying for a sixth term, was surrounded by police and security forces.
as reported from Ndjamena, Aurélie Bazzara-Kibangula
The president of UNDR wanted to hold a meeting in front of his home to call on the Chadians to boycott the investigation on April 11. Meeting forbidden by the authorities on the grounds that the opponent is no longer a presidential candidate.
At least twenty riot police picks therefore arrived in front of Saleh Kebzabo’s residence. According to a member of the opponent’s entourage who was present at the scene, the heavily equipped police took a stand around 1 p.m.
Police released the journalists who came to cover the meeting for the opponent who called on the Chadians to boycott the vote. The police finally withdrew in the evening. Saleh Kebzabo has risen up to condemn “a reduction in democracy in Chad”.
The same scenario in front of Transformer’s headquarters. Riots control forces dispersed the crowd by firing tear gas. According to Succès Masra, about 20 people were arrested and three others were injured. Information not confirmed by the authorities.
For his part, the spokesman for the MPS, the party in power, condemns this call for a boycott and believes that it is “impermissible to want to set the country on fire and blood” in the words of Jean-Bernard Padaré.
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