Algeria slams Chad’s use of ‘lethal force’ against protesters

By Hassan Jibril

ALGIERS, Algeria (AA) - Algeria on Friday condemned "the use of lethal force" against demonstrators in Chad, demanding a quicker transition to democratic rule.

Algeria "strongly condemns the use of lethal force against the demonstrators, which caused the loss of many lives and serious injuries to others in several cities across the country," the Algerian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry called on all sides in Chad to “exercise restraint, preserve lives and property, and strengthen dialogue in order to reach a political solution to the current crisis."

On Thursday, dozens of people were killed after Chadian security dispersed anti-government demonstrations, refusing to extend the transitional period.

The protests were called against the transitional military council’s decision to push back elections to October 2024.

The council is led by Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, the son of former President Idriss Deby, who died in a clash with rebels last year after three decades in power.

Deby, who was named transitional president this month, has backtracked on his pledge to hand over power to an elected government after 18 months.

Thursday would have marked the end of that initially agreed period.​​​​​​​