Seven people were killed when Chadian security forces stormed the headquarters of the Socialist Party without Borders (PSF).
Following the clashes on Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 28 February between the security forces and the PSF of opposition leader Yaya Dillo, human rights organisations such as Human Right Watch have called for an independent inquiry.
In response, the Chadian government has said it is not opposed to establishing the truth.
According to a statement issued on Sunday 3 March by Abderaman Koulamallah, Minister of Communication and government spokesman, the country “reiterates its commitment to justice and transparency” and stresses its willingness to “fully cooperate with any independent investigation aimed at establishing the truth.”
Mr. Koulamallah added: “With regard to the events of 28 February, which led citizens to take up arms and threaten the institutions of the Republic, the government is determined to shed full light on the situation. It invites all the parties concerned to participate constructively in this investigation in order to guarantee transparency.”
However, the Chadian government deplored the fact that certain humanitarian organisations were focusing on isolated incidents, highlighting “the situation of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who are facing one of the worst genocides in the history of humanity.”
In this context, the government called for “a balanced and global approach to the protection of human rights, rejecting all forms of double standards.”
The Chadian government expressed its determination to “guarantee the security and protection of all its citizens, including those who exercise political responsibility,” while reiterating that “attacks against political figures or State institutions will not be tolerated.”
On the night of 27 February, a senior member of the opposition party was forcibly arrested by agents of the intelligence and counter-intelligence services.
He was identified as the alleged instigator of an attempted assassination on the head of the Supreme Court on 19 February.
In retaliation, the government says Yaya Dillo and his supporters attacked the headquarters of the National Agency for State Security (ANSE).
According to the authorities, seven people were killed in the attack.
Dillo was among the victims.
On Thursday 29 February, the President of Chad’s transitional government, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, convened a security meeting over the ANSE attack.
The meeting brought together members of the government, the presidential cabinet and key military, security and judicial officials.
According to a press release issued by the Minister of Communication, Abderaman Koulamallah, the Chadian Head of State stressed the importance of swiftly apprehending the perpetrators of this reprehensible act, pointing out that “no citizen is above the law”.
He also ordered a “systematic general search of the city, with the exception of people with legal immunity”.
He urged those responsible for national security to “take full responsibility and immediately arrest and bring to justice the perpetrators and accomplices of this attack on state institutions”.
