Strasbourg 02.03.2024 “The European Union expresses its serious concerns following the violence that has occurred in N’Djamena in recent days. The EU calls for the facts to be clarified and responsibilities established in an independent and credible manner” reads the statement of the EU diplomacy press person, following the news from N’Djamena.

“These events undermine the efforts needed to ensure a transparent, pluralistic, inclusive and peaceful transition that the EU continues to support”.

In recent days a heavy gunfire has been heard in Chad’s capital N’Djamena following a deadly attack on the headquarters of the National Security Agency (ANSE).

Several people were killed in attack on February 28, according to government sources, blaming the opposition Socialist Party Without Borders (PSF). Later a state prosecutor Oumar Mahamat Kedelaye said at a news conference that Chadian opposition politician Yaya Dillo has been killed during an exchange of fire with security forces.

Dillo was among several people killed when he led an attack on the National State Security Agency (ANSE) in the capital, N’Djamena, the prosecutor said on Thursday, February 29.

The unrest comes a day after the announcement that Chad will hold presidential elections on 6 May.

The May election is supposed to conclude the political transition after the assassination of President Idriss Deby Into.

The Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS) designated President Déby’s son as its candidate for the upcoming elections, but he is yet to openly comment on whether he will run, facing the widespread criticism, pointing that Chad is not a monarchy.

However, in spite of its republican traditions, former colonial power – France – has been backing Déby Jr. since the start of the transition, hoping to ensure continuity of cooperation which was under threat of rupture after the assassination.

France currently has about 1,000 troops in Chad to fight jihadist groups across West Africa.