Protests Erupt in Chad After Chadian Soldier Killed Inside French Military Base

Protests Erupt in Chad After Chadian Soldier Killed Inside French Military Base

Demonstrators attempted to breach a French military base located in the north-central African nation of Chad, sparking tensions and concerns over the presence of French troops in the country.

Trigger for Protests: Killing of Chadian Soldier

The outrage that led to the protests was triggered by the killing of a Chadian soldier within a French military base situated in the northern town of Faya-Largeau. The incident has raised questions and tensions regarding the role of French forces in Chad.

According to reports, an unnamed Chadian serviceman had entered the French military base seeking medical treatment. During the medical procedure, he allegedly grabbed a scalpel and attacked the French military doctor who was attending to him. In response, the medic used his firearm to “neutralize” the attacker, resulting in the Chadian soldier’s immediate death.

Joint Investigation Initiated

Following the incident, both Chadian and French military authorities initiated a joint investigation to examine the circumstances surrounding the soldier’s death and the altercation within the base. The incident has raised questions about the use of force within the facility.

Doctor in Serious Condition

A French diplomatic source revealed that the military doctor was seriously injured during the attack, having been stabbed three times. The doctor faced difficulties in providing a statement to the authorities due to the severity of his injuries.

Reports indicate that local residents attempted to storm the French military base on multiple occasions after news of the soldier’s death emerged. However, they were unsuccessful in breaching the facility’s defenses. The incident has led to widespread protests in the city of Faya-Largeau.

Growing Concern and Calls for Withdrawal

Chadian political analyst Evariste Ngarlem Tolde confirmed the heated protests in Faya-Largeau and revealed that Chadian troops guarding the French base had used live rounds to disperse the angry crowds. Tolde further stated that members of Chad’s National Assembly who arrived at the scene demanded the withdrawal of approximately 1,000 French troops from the country.

The MPs expressed their bewilderment at how the French military could kill a Chadian citizen on Chadian territory, intensifying the calls for a French troop withdrawal. The incident has raised concerns that protests against the French military presence could escalate and spread to other regions of Chad.

In a related development, another former French colony, Niger, has also called for the removal of French troops from its soil. The demand came after the military ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in late July. Niger’s new prime minister, Ali Lamine Zeine, described the French forces as “illegally” present in the country and revealed ongoing discussions aimed at facilitating a swift withdrawal.

Tensions and Diplomatic Resolutions

The tragic incident within a French military base in Chad has ignited protests and raised questions about the role and actions of French troops in African nations. The calls for troop withdrawals in both Chad and Niger signal growing discontent with the presence of foreign military forces on African soil. As tensions remain high, the international community watches closely to see how these situations unfold and whether diplomatic resolutions can be reached.