19 Dead as Gunmen Storm Chad’s Presidential Complex in N’Djamena
Gunmen Attack Presidential Complex in Chad: 19 Dead, Including 18 Assailants
On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, a coordinated attack on Chad’s presidential complex in the capital, N’Djamena, left 19 people dead, including 18 attackers and one security personnel.
The assault began when armed men attempted to storm the heavily guarded compound, leading to gunfire that was heard across the area. Eyewitnesses reported tanks positioned on the streets near the presidential palace.
Government Response and Casualties
Abderaman Koulamallah, Chad’s government spokesman and foreign minister, confirmed that 18 of the 24 attackers were killed, with six others sustaining injuries. Among the security forces, one individual was killed, and three were injured, one of whom remains in critical condition. Koulamallah reassured the public that the “situation is completely under control” and the “destabilization attempt was put down.”
Speculation on Attacker Identity
Initial reports linked the attackers to the Boko Haram terrorist group, which frequently targets Chad, particularly in the Lake Chad region bordering Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger. However, Koulamallah later dismissed these claims, describing the assailants as intoxicated and drugged criminals, rather than organized terrorists.
The attackers reportedly breached the compound after confronting four guards but were quickly subdued by the presidential security forces.
Context of the Attack
This incident highlights Chad’s ongoing instability under military rule. The country faces persistent threats from Boko Haram and has recently ended a military cooperation agreement with its former colonial power, France. Additionally, Chad has been accused of meddling in the ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan.
Hours before the attack, President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno held high-level discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. These talks are part of Chad’s broader strategy to strengthen ties with international allies, including Hungary and Russia, while consolidating internal power.
Broader Implications
The attack underscores Chad’s vulnerability to both internal dissent and external threats. President Deby has reshuffled the military to secure loyalty, focusing on restructuring its traditional leadership dominated by the Zaghawas and Gorane ethnic groups.
As Chad navigates its challenges, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragile security situation in the region and the importance of maintaining stability in a country critical to Central African geopolitics.
