Chad's Presidential Palace Attack: 19 Dead After Foiled Assault

Late Wednesday evening, an armed group attempted to breach Chad's presidential palace in N'Djamena while President Mahamat Déby Itno was present. The assailants, numbering 24 and reportedly under the influence of alcohol and drugs, arrived in vehicles that malfunctioned at the palace entrance. Armed with knives and machetes, they attacked the entrance guards, fatally injuring one and wounding two others. The palace guards responded swiftly, resulting in the deaths of 18 attackers and the capture of six. 

Foreign Minister Abdulrahman Koulamallah addressed the nation via a live Facebook broadcast, assuring citizens that the situation was under control and there was no cause for fear. He described the assailants as a disorganized group of local youths from N'Djamena, dismissing any links to organized terrorist groups like Boko Haram. 

This incident coincided with a visit from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who had met with President Déby earlier that day. Wang Yi had already departed the palace before the attack occurred. China, Chad's largest trading partner and investor, expressed support for Chad's efforts to maintain national stability and security. 

The attack comes at a delicate time for Chad, which recently ended a defence cooperation pact with France and expelled French troops from the country. Despite the breach, the capital remained calm, with daily activities resuming as normal on Thursday. 

President Mahamat Déby Itno has led Chad since 2021, following the death of his father, Idriss Déby, who had ruled for three decades. The younger Déby's tenure has been marked by ongoing security challenges, including threats from insurgent groups in the region.