Chad: Protests possible in coming days in N’Djamena /update 6

Event

Chadian police forces forcefully suppressed and dispersed a student protest in N'Djamena on Saturday, February 10. The demonstration was organized to demand the resumption of classes in public schools and universities affected by the ongoing education union strike; youths reportedly burned tires on Saturday, prompting police to fire tear gas at the demonstrators. Police had arrested some 90 people in the capital as of late Saturday morning (local time). Several protesters were reportedly wounded during the police crackdown.

Related protests were reported in other Chadian cities and towns on Saturday as well, including in Abéché, Moundou, Koumra, and Sarh. Additional protests and heightened security measures are possible in N'Djamena and elsewhere in Chad in the coming days.

Context

In January 2018, the Chadian government announced new austerity measures in an effort to reduce its civil service payroll to meet International Monetary Fund (IMF) spending requirements and ensure the organization's continued support for the country's 2018 budget.

A Chadian higher education union launched an indefinite strike on January 27, protesting a reduction in members' salaries under newly implemented austerity measures. Universities, as well as secondary and primary schools, remained closed in Chad as of February 12. Chadian civil servants have also been on strike since January 29 to denounce the austerity measures, including salary and benefits cuts.

Advice

Individuals in Chad are advised to closely monitor the situation, avoid all protests as a precaution 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.). Due to the risk of terrorism and other security concerns, 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.