A prominent opponent of Chad’s military leader, Mahamat Déby, has been fatally shot in a clash with security forces, according to officials.
Yaya Dillo’s death follows government allegations linking him to a deadly assault on the country’s security agency, which he vehemently denied.
On Wednesday, gunfire erupted near the headquarters of his political party in the capital, N’Djamena.
Dillo, who was also President Déby’s cousin, was expected to be a major contender against him in the upcoming presidential election slated for May 6, aimed at restoring constitutional governance.
Before his demise, Dillo led the Socialist Party Without Borders (PSF).
Communications Minister Abderaman Koulamallah told the AFP news agency that Dillo perished on Wednesday, refusing to surrender and engaging law enforcement in gunfire. The clash resulted in the deaths of 12 others.
Chad’s internet and mobile phone networks have been offline since the attack on the National Security Agency (ANSE) headquarters.
Journalist Amaury Hauchard reported that people had been without internet access for 24 hours, raising concerns about the election’s feasibility.
Dillo rebuffed accusations of involvement in the ANSE attack, characterizing them as attempts to intimidate him from participating in the election.
The PSF countered the government’s narrative, asserting that they were the ones under attack.
The PSF’s general secretary stated that soldiers targeted them while attempting to retrieve the body of their colleague Ahmed Torabi, who was allegedly killed and dumped outside the ANSE building by authorities.
The government accused Torabi of plotting to assassinate the Supreme Court president.
This incident wasn’t Dillo’s first violent encounter with security forces.
During his presidential bid against President Idriss Déby in 2021, state forces reportedly killed Dillo’s mother, son, and three others while attempting to apprehend him.
The government disputed the PSF’s death toll, claiming three fatalities.
Source-BBC
