Several People Killed in Clashes in Chadian Capital

Several people were killed in clashes near the headquarters of the Internal Security Agency in the Chadian capital, N'Djamena, on Wednesday, according to reports from the government and an opposition party, despite differing accounts regarding the reasons for the incident. The NetBlocks internet monitoring organization reported that "internet connectivity in Chad was disrupted today, following reports of an attack on the agency's headquarters." The government stated in a statement that "the agency was attacked by representatives of the opposition Socialist Party Without Borders, led by Yahya Dillo, resulting in several fatalities." Additionally, the government mentioned a separate incident in which "party member Ahmed Tarabi attempted to assassinate the President of the Supreme Court, Samir Adam Nour." It added that "Tarabi has been arrested." In a statement to Reuters, the party's secretary general asserted that the fatalities occurred near the Internal Security Agency when soldiers opened fire on a group of its members. He added that "Tarabi was shot dead on Tuesday and his body was placed at the agency," noting that "party members and relatives of Tarabi went this morning to search for his body at the agency, and soldiers opened fire on them, resulting in several fatalities," although he clarified that the exact number was unknown. The violence comes amid tensions before the presidential elections scheduled for May and June, which may restore constitutional rule to the Central African nation after three years of military control.