Chad: National transportation strike called off January 23 /update 1

Event

On Tuesday, January 23, transportation workers called off a national strike following the opening of negotiations with the Chadian government. However, it remains unclear if transportation services have yet returned to normal, as local sources indicate that many transportation workers were opposed to calling off the strike. The work stoppage, which paralyzed the capital N'Djamena on January 22, was organized to protest a recent increase in fuel prices.

Meanwhile, security forces reportedly dispersed a student protest organized in N'Djamena in support of the striking transportation workers on Monday, January 22. According to local sources, security forces injured several demonstrators, and arrested 143 more, after protesters erected barricades, set vehicles on fire, and threw stones at security officers. The Collective of Organizations for Civil Society plans to hold a related demonstration in the capital N'Djamena on January 25; the march is expected to start near the Oil Libya service station in the Djambel district and proceed towards the Chagoua district. Local reports indicate that mobile operators sent users an SMS message stating that the government had issued a ban on the protest. Anticipate a heightened security presence and associated transportation disruptions if the march goes ahead despite the ban and the end of the strike.

Context

Chad is struggling with challenging socioeconomic conditions that lead to large protests on a regular basis, as well as other risks associated with insecurity and unrest. The country has recently seen a hike in fuel prices as part of ongoing austerity measures implemented to meet International Monetary Fund (IMF) spending requirements.

Advice

Individuals in Chad are advised to confirm travel reservations, closely monitor the situation, avoid all protests due to the risk of violence, and adhere to advice issued by local authorities or their home governments.

On a separate note, due to the high terrorist threat, report any suspicious objects or behavior to the relevant authorities and remain vigilant at all times, especially when visiting sites deemed particularly likely to be targeted in an attack (e.g., public transportation, train stations, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, festivals, etc.). For these and other security reasons, many Western governments advise against all travel to areas near the borders with Niger, Libya, Sudan, Central African Republic, Cameroon, and Nigeria, and the Lake Chad region, as well as nonessential travel to the rest of the country, including N'Djamena. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel to or within the country.