'Heavy gunfire' reported in African capital following visit of Chinese FM
The presidential palace in N’Djamena, Chad is said to have experienced an armed assault shortly after the visit from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Militants have reportedly targeted the presidency of Chad, leading to significant military mobilization in the capital, N’Djamena. On Wednesday night, tanks were seen on the streets, and heavy gunfire could be heard near the presidential palace, according to sources cited by RT.
Earlier that day, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was in N’Djamena meeting with Chadian President Mahamat Deby to discuss “advancing bilateral cooperation.”
The French news agency AFP was the first to report on the “heavy gunfire” occurring on Wednesday evening. A security source in Chad informed AFP that “armed men had attacked the presidential palace.”
In response to the situation, all roads leading to the palace have been closed, and armored vehicles have blocked access to the area. Chadian government spokesman Aziz Mahamat Saleh attempted to reassure the public, stating in a Facebook post on Wednesday evening, “Nothing serious, don’t panic, the situation is under control,” though he did not provide additional details.
Chad's decision to end its security pact with France came in November, a move that mirrored actions taken by neighboring countries Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. France previously had around 1,000 troops stationed in Chad, with the withdrawal of the first approximately 30 troops taking place in late December. The remainder are expected to leave “in the coming weeks.”
On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron addressed a gathering of ambassadors, expressing that former colonies in Africa had not properly acknowledged France’s assistance in combating terrorism and separatism over the last decade. “None of them would have a sovereign state if the French army had not deployed in this region,” he stated. “I think that they forgot to thank us, but that’s ok, it will come in time.”
France played a pivotal role in the 2011 NATO intervention in Libya, which led to the ousting of Muammar Gaddafi. Since then, Libya has experienced ongoing sectarian conflict among various warlords, resulting in the proliferation of weapons to numerous militant factions throughout the Sahel, including some aligned with Al-Qaeda. In response to perceived shortcomings in France's efforts to stabilize the region, local governments have increasingly sought security partnerships with nations like Russia and China.
Sanya Singh contributed to this report for TROIB News
Earlier that day, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was in N’Djamena meeting with Chadian President Mahamat Deby to discuss “advancing bilateral cooperation.”
The French news agency AFP was the first to report on the “heavy gunfire” occurring on Wednesday evening. A security source in Chad informed AFP that “armed men had attacked the presidential palace.”
In response to the situation, all roads leading to the palace have been closed, and armored vehicles have blocked access to the area. Chadian government spokesman Aziz Mahamat Saleh attempted to reassure the public, stating in a Facebook post on Wednesday evening, “Nothing serious, don’t panic, the situation is under control,” though he did not provide additional details.
Chad's decision to end its security pact with France came in November, a move that mirrored actions taken by neighboring countries Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. France previously had around 1,000 troops stationed in Chad, with the withdrawal of the first approximately 30 troops taking place in late December. The remainder are expected to leave “in the coming weeks.”
On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron addressed a gathering of ambassadors, expressing that former colonies in Africa had not properly acknowledged France’s assistance in combating terrorism and separatism over the last decade. “None of them would have a sovereign state if the French army had not deployed in this region,” he stated. “I think that they forgot to thank us, but that’s ok, it will come in time.”
France played a pivotal role in the 2011 NATO intervention in Libya, which led to the ousting of Muammar Gaddafi. Since then, Libya has experienced ongoing sectarian conflict among various warlords, resulting in the proliferation of weapons to numerous militant factions throughout the Sahel, including some aligned with Al-Qaeda. In response to perceived shortcomings in France's efforts to stabilize the region, local governments have increasingly sought security partnerships with nations like Russia and China.
Sanya Singh contributed to this report for TROIB News
