Chad Foils Armed Assault on Presidential Complex, 19 Killed Amid Diplomatic Visit

At least 19 people have been killed in an attempted armed assault on the presidential complex in Chad’s capital, N’Djamena, according to security forces.

The attack occurred on Wednesday evening, as a group of 24 armed men attempted to storm the president’s office.

The government reported that 18 of the attackers were killed during the gun battle, while one security personnel also died in the clash. Three members of the security forces were injured, with one sustaining serious wounds.

Chad’s Foreign Minister, Abderaman Koulamallah, confirmed the details, stating, “There were 18 dead and six injured among the attackers, and we suffered one death and three injuries, one of them seriously.”

Following the attack, Koulamallah appeared in a video alongside armed soldiers, reassuring the public that the situation was “completely under control,” and that the attempt to destabilize the country had been foiled.

The assault coincided with a visit to Chad by China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, who had met with President Mahamat Idriss Deby and other senior officials just hours before the shooting broke out. President Deby was present in the presidential complex at the time of the attack, but was unharmed.

China’s Foreign Ministry expressed its firm support for Chad’s efforts to maintain security and stability, with a spokesperson noting that Wang Yi had completed his visit to the country before the gunfire erupted.

The attack comes as Chad continues to face political instability following the death of longtime President Idriss Deby in 2021, who was killed by rebels during a military campaign. His son, Mahamat Idriss Deby, assumed power after his father’s death and has faced multiple challenges to his rule, including armed resistance from rebel groups.

The situation remains tense, but the government has assured the public that the country’s security forces are working to restore peace and prevent further unrest.