An opposition leader in Chad was reportedly killed in a clash with security forces, according to officials.
Yaya Dillo’s death occurred after the government accused him of involvement in a deadly attack on the country’s security agency, an accusation he denied.
The capital, N’Djamena, witnessed heavy gunfire near the headquarters of Dillo’s party on Wednesday.
Dillo, known for his vocal opposition to President Mahamat Déby, his cousin, had been a prominent figure since Déby assumed power in 2021 following the death of his father, who ruled for three decades.
The unrest in Chad comes amid preparations for presidential elections scheduled for May 6, aimed at restoring constitutional rule.
Communications Minister Abderaman Koulamallah informed AFP that Dillo died on Wednesday at his party’s headquarters, refusing to surrender and allegedly firing at law enforcement.
In response to accusations linking him to the attack on the National Security Agency (ANSE) headquarters, Dillo stated the claims were an attempt “to intimidate me and deter my participation in the election.”
A member of Dillo’s Socialist Party Without Borders (PSF) revealed to Reuters that soldiers attacked PSF members outside the ANSE building while they were trying to recover the body of their colleague, Ahmed Torabi.
According to the PSF official, Torabi was arrested and fatally shot on Tuesday, with his body later found outside the ANSE premises.
The government alleged that Torabi had attempted to assassinate the president of the Supreme Court.
The attempt to retrieve Torabi’s body on Wednesday morning resulted in multiple fatalities, as relatives and party members were reportedly fired upon.
