Stories from Chad

President Mahamat Déby Itno of Chad has threatened provincial and traditional authorities, stating they must assume responsibility or face removal from power. The president is prioritizing the disarmament of civilians who are reportedly carrying weapons.

Opposition leader Succès Masra has renewed his availability to work with the current administration. Masra proposed a unity government characterized by what he calls 'double parity.' This structure would consist of a cabinet composed of equal numbers of Christians and Muslims.

President Abdallah was killed by an aide. The source stated that the United States president has elevated threats of military aggression against Cuba to a dangerous and level.

The 1,300-kilometer border between Sudan and Chad is extremely difficult to monitor. Fighters and weapons are crossing the border alongside refugees fleeing the war in Sudan. This movement is increasingly drawing Chad into the regional violence.

President Mahamat Idriss Déby visited Igot to address a conflict between the Tama and Zaghawa communities. The dispute originated from a quarrel over a well and escalated following the arrival of Sudanese Zaghawa militias and vehicles across the border.

Yisen Abdulay stated that democracy no longer exists in Chad. A spokesperson for the Les Patriotes party, a member of the G-CAP, expressed pessimism regarding the future of democracy in Chad. The spokesperson suggested that political parties will no longer have meaning in the current political climate. Opposition figures are calling for the Chadian head of state to release political opponents currently incarcerated for their opinions. They are requesting the government to allow for peaceful marches and to open up the political space for dialogue. The source noted that the locality of Isoma was also attacked, though the current status of such attacks is unclear. The speaker stated that Chad will not be considered a democratic country unless these changes occur. Opposition members in Chad warn that a new legislative text could violate Article 220 of the Constitution.

The Chadian government has designated water and sanitation as its number one development priority. The national development plan aims to provide these services to an additional 11 million people.

Armed groups from the Arawa and Tama communities resumed fighting on Monday morning in Wadi Fira despite recent military deployment. A delegation of officials arrived on Sunday to attempt to ease tensions following initial incidents. Local and security sources report several dozen new deaths have occurred. The violence follows a period of brief calm after the army was deployed to the Suden and Diridimi refugee camps. Clashes resumed in the Wadi Fira province of eastern Chad yesterday despite the deployment of the army. The violence follows initial fighting last week between members of the Tawah, Tama, and Zarawah communities. An earlier death toll from the initial clashes was reported at 42 people. Fighting between Arawa and Tama community groups resumed in Wadi Fira on Monday morning. The violence is impacting nearby Sudanese refugee camps.

Chad's Supreme Court dissolved the opposition group G-CAP on Friday, April 24. The dissolution was justified by the group's call for a peaceful protest on May 2. Eight opposition members were questioned by judicial police on Sunday, April 26, with two refusing to cooperate as their lawyers were denied access. The group had organized a march of indignation and peaceful protest. The reasons for the dissolution have not been fully elaborated. The decision was announced by authorities in N'Djamena. The government's action marks a move in the country's political landscape. This move is seen as a restriction on political dissent within the country.

Intercommunal clashes in the Wadi-Fira province of eastern Chad have resulted in at least 40 deaths. The violence reportedly erupted following a dispute over a well. Authorities have dispatched several ministers to the region to manage the situation. Officials claim the situation is currently under control despite the recent arrests and fatalities.