Chad’s military successfully repelled a terrorist attack on the presidential palace in the capital, N’Djamena, on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of 18 attackers and one security personnel, the government confirmed.
The confrontation erupted when gunmen attempted to storm the presidential complex. Security forces engaged the attackers in a battle, with AFP reporters near the scene reporting heavy gunfire and tanks deployed on the streets.
Government spokesperson and Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah disclosed, “There were 18 dead and six injured among the attackers, and we suffered one death and three injured, one of them seriously.”
Following the clashes, Koulamallah appeared in a video on Facebook, flanked by soldiers and visibly armed, assuring the public, “The situation is completely under control… the destabilisation attempt was put down.”
Chad’s military has foiled an attack by terrorists at the Presidential Palace. The attackers were neutralized and arrested. pic.twitter.com/UE1i6yfQUH
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) January 9, 2025
Initially, a security source identified the attackers as members of the Boko Haram jihadist group. However, Koulamallah later dismissed this, explaining the assailants were “probably not” terrorists but instead described them as drunken “Pieds Nickeles” — referencing a French comic featuring clumsy crooks. He further stated, “They attacked four guards before entering the presidential complex, where they were easily overpowered,” adding that the surviving attackers were “completely drugged.”
Chad, a landlocked nation under military rule, frequently faces threats from Boko Haram, especially in the Lake Chad region bordering Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger. The country recently terminated its defense agreement with former colonial power France and has faced accusations of involvement in the Sudan conflict.
Security sources reported that the attack began around 7:45 pm local time (1845 GMT) when the commando unit opened fire inside the presidency. The presidential guard swiftly subdued the assailants, and all roads leading to the palace were blocked. Civilians fled the city center in cars and motorcycles as armed police secured the area.
The incident occurred hours after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno. Koulamallah confirmed that Deby was in the complex during the assault but was unharmed.
Rising Tensions with France
Chad recently ended its military cooperation with France, calling their security agreements “obsolete.” Approximately 1,000 French troops stationed in the country are currently withdrawing, following France’s expulsion from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Senegal and Ivory Coast have also requested the removal of French troops.
Post-Election Tensions
The attack occurred less than two weeks after Chad held a controversial general election, which the government claimed as a step toward civilian rule despite low voter turnout and opposition claims of fraud. Opposition parties boycotted the polls, allowing President Deby’s allies to dominate.
Deby, who took power in 2021 following the death of his father, Idriss Deby, has since reshuffled the military, historically dominated by the Zaghawa and Gorane ethnic groups, to consolidate power.
On the diplomatic front, Chad has been strengthening ties with countries like Russia and Hungary as its geopolitical alliances shift.
