Chad’s government on Friday announced in a statement that the country’s security forces have successfully foiled an attempt by a group of army officers to destabilize the country and undermine constitutional order, reported The Reuters.
“This plan was devised by a restricted group of conspirators composed of 11 army officers,” the statement said.
The disgruntled army officers were led by Baradine Berdei Targuio, president of the Chadian Human Rights Organisation.
The statement said that Chad’s security services have been arresting people linked to the plot since Dec. 8 and have seized military equipment.
Chad’s Communications Minister and government spokesman Aziz Mahamat Saleh said a formal investigation had been opened for violation of the constitutional order, criminal association, illegal possession of a firearm and complicity.
He added that the investigating magistrate leading the case has charged them and ordered their imprisonment.
“The investigation is following its course and the government means to do everything to shed light on this affair and to determine responsibility,” the Chadian minister said.
In February 2021, Targuio was sentenced to three years in jail on charges of undermining the constitutional order for having written that Chad’s former president General Idriss Deby Itno, was seriously ill.
Deby, who died on the battlefield in April 2021 while visiting front-line troops, was replaced by his son, General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno. Deby was sworn in as Chad’s president on October 10 and later appointed a so-called government of national union headed by Prime Minister Saleh Kebzabo. A nationwide forum has approved a new 24-month timeframe for holding elections. The forum has also ratified Deby’s right to seek for the presidency after the transition.
Chadian authorities have cracked down on dissent in recent months as demonstrators demand a speedy transition to democratic rule.
In October, some 50 people were killed in protests which the government described as an armed insurrection but rights groups said was a pro-democracy demonstration.
