Chad: deterioration of the situation around rallies against the authorities
Scuffled in Ndjamena, April 27, 2021 (illustrative image).
AFP - ISSOUF SANOGO
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
This Saturday, May 8, the first violence occurred about two hours ago in several points of Ndjamena, the capital of Chad.
Sources mention the wounded, live ammunition, several arrests as well.
All this while the Wakit Tama citizens' coalition had planned rallies, finally tolerated "in extremis" against transitional authorities deemed illegitimate.
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From our special correspondent in Ndjamena
David Baché
with the technical means of
Julien Boileau
Everything was very calm in the early morning and the situation suddenly deteriorated, around 6:45 am (local).
The demonstrators present at the meeting point set by the organizers of the march at the Fest Africa space in the 6th arrondissement were shot by the police.
Witnesses speak of live ammunition and point blank range.
Two wounded were transferred to hospital and there were nine arrests, according to officials of the Wakit Tama movement.
Tear gas
We, my technician and I were shot in the legs with tear gas.
The crowd was dispersed, but the police forced us to get into their vehicle.
They seized our equipment and our driver received snag shots.
We were quickly released, but without recovering our recording equipment.
The police assure us that we can get it back later.
Other gatherings
Other gatherings are reported in other neighborhoods of Ndjamena, Walia, Atrone with also tear gas.
The march initially planned and officially banned, but tolerated, according to statements by the government spokesperson last night, finally resembles the day of April 27 with scattered movements repressed in violence.
No deaths to report at this stage, it is still very early.
At first, authorities issued rules that made it impossible to legally organize rallies today, but then announced that they would tolerate the day's protests, provided they remained peaceful and ensuring that they were scrupulously. framed.
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To read also: Chad: demonstrations prohibited, tolerated, and under high tension
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