‘Destabilization’ plot foiled, 11 officers indicted, says Chad

By Aurore Bonny

DOUALA, Cameroon (AA) - An attempt to destabilize Chad has been defeated, authorities in the Central African nation have announced, adding that 11 army officers were indicted over their alleged roles in the bid that took place last month.

The "small group of conspirators" was arrested after Dec. 8, government spokesman Aziz Mahamat Saleh said in a statement late on Thursday, with local media citing their lawyers as saying that they have now been transferred to a high-security prison in the northern Koro Toro desert region of the country.

Led by Baradine Berdei Targuio, the leader of the Chadian Human Rights Organisation, thay are accused of a "destabilization attempt" to undermine the country's institutions and seize "military equipment and transmission," said Saleh.

The officers had previously underwent routine interrogations by police before being referred to the prosecutor's office in the capital N'djamena, according to the government.

They stand charged with "undermining the constitutional order, criminal association, illegal possession of firearms and complicity," added Saleh.

Chad has been undergoing a period of military transition since General Mahamat Idris Deby Itno took power following the assassination of his father, Idriss Deby Itno, in April 2021 after 30 years in power.

Demonstrations have since erupted for this transition period to come to an end with the holding of democratic elections.