Chad’s government has announced the thwarting of an attempted coup in the capital, N’Djamena.
The revelation was made by Minister of Foreign Affairs and government spokesperson Abderaman Koulamallah during a press briefing on Wednesday.
Earlier that evening, heavy gunfire was reported near the Presidential Palace, according to multiple sources.
The incident comes at a critical time as Chad nears the conclusion of its three-year transitional period. Legislative, provincial, and municipal elections are set to take place at the end of December, with results expected in mid-January.
However, the elections have been boycotted by opposition groups, including the Transformateurs party led by former Prime Minister Succès Masra.
Adding to the tension is the ongoing withdrawal of French forces, which began last December.
France maintains a significant military presence in N’Djamena, and its departure has heightened diplomatic strains between Paris and N’Djamena.
