Chad’s two main opposition figures in hiding ‘for safety’
Libreville, Gabon (AFP):
The leaders of Chad’s two main opposition groups have said that they are in hiding over fears for their safety, following a violent crackdown on demonstrations last month.
Succes Masra, head of the Transformers party, told AFP he was in “another country” because he was wanted by the “presidential guard”.
Max Loalngar of Wakit Tamma said he was in “hiding somewhere within the country” to avoid arrest.
The authorities say around 50 people died in clashes between security forces and anti-regime protesters last month — but the opposition says the actual toll was much higher.
Police violently repressed the demonstrations in the capital N’Djamena and several other cities, leaving hundreds wounded.
Authorities say the toll included a dozen members of the security forces, and accused the opposition of mounting an “insurrection”.
After making hundreds of arrests, the government suspended all political activity.
The Transformers and Wakit Tamma called the demonstrations to mark the date when the ruling military had initially promised to hand over power — a timeline now extended for another two years by General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno.
The 38-year-old five-star general took the helm in April 2021 after his father, Chad’s iron-fisted ruler for three decades, was killed during an operation against rebels.
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