At least 19 people have been killed in an attack on Chad’s presidential palace, according to the government. The attack occurred on Wednesday in the capital, N’Djamena, and involved armed assailants who targeted the presidential compound.
The incident is being described as a significant security breach in the capital, as the assailants clashed with palace guards and attempted to infiltrate the complex. The Chadian government has not yet identified the attackers, but security forces are reportedly conducting an ongoing investigation.
Government officials confirmed that the fatalities include both soldiers and civilians, with several others injured in the assault. The president’s office, however, assured the public that President Mahamat Idriss Déby, who assumed power following his father’s death in 2021, was not harmed in the attack.
In the aftermath of the assault, security forces have heightened their presence around key government buildings and vital installations in N’Djamena.

The government has not provided further details on the motive behind the attack or the identities of the attackers. However, there has been speculation that the assault may be related to ongoing tensions involving rebel groups and factions within the military. Chad has faced a series of insurgencies and rebel movements over the years, and some of these groups have expressed opposition to the current government’s leadership.
International bodies, including the African Union and the United Nations, have condemned the attack and called for an immediate investigation into the matter.
The deadly assault comes amid a period of political instability in Chad, with the country navigating a delicate transition of power and a fragile peace agreement with rebel groups.