In Ndjamena, a lead-up atmosphere reigned on Wednesday, April 21, the day after the announcement of Idriss Deby Itno, the president since 1990. The city is deserted and residents are torn between grief and anxiety.
With our correspondents in Ndjamena, Aurélie Bazzara and Madjiasra Nako
The capital woke up on Wednesday at the dawn of the muezzins’ call for prayer, but it was necessary to wait 5 hours, as specified by the military council order, to be able to leave. The city was quiet, some brave people tried to run their business, but the streets were quite deserted. The traffic was flowing, while in normal times at that time there are traffic jams in Ndjamena.
Since Tuesday, the population has been shocked by the news. Such is the case with this mechanic who did not do a single repair all day on Tuesday. The country is going through a historic moment, he says, and customers have become scarce: “Everything is closed, there is no one, the streets are really quiet. Some people have left the city. ”
Getting to safety is Malika’s choice. This fruit seller preferred to stay at home: “Be careful, I prefer to wait and see if things are calm, and if there is nothing, I will start going out again and move on with my business.” “
Khamis, in his sixties, with a white scarf on his head, is already thinking about the future. He is not convinced of the military transition: “We are afraid, will the soldiers accept that they will have to stay only 18 months? It’s not easy, we do not know the future. ”
Fear of violence
And it’s not just the locals who are worried. On the part of civil society, it is difficult to remain optimistic about the future. Jacqueline Moudeïna, former president of the Chadian Association for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights, fears the situation is deteriorating: “We are creating a burnout because, on the one hand, you have factions that are in position. , implementation of this board. So we fear a burn, which is why we call on the whole international community for help so that they support the Chadian people. ”
A concern shared by Dobian Assingar, Honorary President of the Chadian League for Human Rights: international instead of joining this or that party, not to support anyone and to demand respect for the constitution. “
On the streets of the capital, Ali is enthusiastic. For this resident of Ndjamena, Mahamat Idriss Deby, the president of the Transitional Council, is the man for the job: “I’m not worried because I’m sure myself and Mahamat that he will be okay, he is a strong man like his father, he is the son of a warrior.”
Ndjamen’s everyday life should remain disrupted for the next few days, especially with the national funeral scheduled for this Friday.
What has just happened in Chad is urging us in civil society to fight for a change of power. We are worried about what could happen at the level of Central Africa, because Central Africa is much more threatened, because the Heads of State do not want to ensure change at the top of the state.
Marc Ona Essangui, President of the international civic movement Tournons la Page
.
