Vantage | Why is UN or EU silent on political violence in Chad?

In recent days, Chad, a nation nestled in the heart of Central Africa, has once again found itself thrust into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Once a French colony like many of its neighbours, Chad has long struggled with political instability, and recent events have only added to its woes.

Chad in distress

The latest chapter in Chad's tumultuous narrative unfolded with alarming swiftness. It began with an attack in the capital city of En-Jameena (N'Djamena), an assault that culminated in the tragic death of an opposition leader, Yaya Dillo Djerou. Dillo, the leader of the Socialist Party Without Borders, was not only a political adversary but also a cousin to Chad's current military junta leader, Mahamat Deby.

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The timing of Dillo's demise couldn't be more ominous, as it came amid preparations for Chad's upcoming presidential elections. Dillo, poised to challenge Déby in the polls, now lies dead, leaving a void that speaks volumes about the state of democracy in Chad.

Violence before presidential polls

The chain of events leading to Dillo's untimely end underscores the fragility of Chad's political landscape. Initially, tensions simmered with the announcement of election dates by Chad's election agency. Yet, the situation escalated dramatically when members of the opposition party were rounded up, ostensibly for attacking Chad's Supreme Court chief. What followed was a sequence of violence and counterclaims, each side pointing fingers at the other as casualties mounted.

Chad's military forces swiftly moved to assert control over the capital, further stifling dissent. Opposition party offices were surrounded, leaving leaders like Dillo trapped inside, their fate uncertain. Dillo's final communication, a desperate plea for help via Facebook, served as a grim testament to the perilous predicament facing Chad's opposition.

Mahamat Deby tightens grip

With Dillo's demise, Deby's grip on power tightens, raising troubling questions about the future of democracy in Chad. Déby, following in his father's footsteps, has maintained an iron grip on the nation since assuming power after his father's death in 2021. Despite promises of transition to civilian rule, Déby has repeatedly postponed elections, consolidating his hold on power through questionable means.

The international community's response, or lack thereof, to Chad's plight is equally disconcerting. Despite clear signs of authoritarianism and human rights abuses, Western powers have remained conspicuously silent. Some speculate that Déby's close ties to France, Chad's former colonial ruler, have shielded him from scrutiny, allowing him to act with impunity.

As Chad teeters on the brink of chaos, the world watches with bated breath. Will the voices of democracy and human rights prevail, or will Chad become yet another casualty of political expediency? The answer remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the people of Chad deserve better than to be abandoned to the whims of autocrats and their enablers.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.