At least 50 people died in the riots in Chad

At least 50 people were killed and almost 300 injured in protests in Chad, when hundreds of citizens took to the streets demanding a faster transition to democracy, reports Reuters.

The Prime Minister of Chad, Saleh Kebzabo, said that it was an armed rebellion and that the exact number of victims was not yet known.

Human rights groups reported that security forces broke up demonstrations in the capital N'Djamena and several other cities, massacring unarmed civilians.

Military-run Chad has been in crisis since the April 2021 death of President Idris Debi, who ruled with an iron fist for three decades. His son, Mahamat Idris Debi, then took power and promised to switch to an electoral system within a year and a half. However, he said on October 1 that the elections will be postponed for two years.

The opposition and civic groups called for protests, although the government banned the gatherings, citing security reasons. In the riots, the roads were blocked and the party headquarters of the new prime minister was set on fire.

Kebzabo, who was appointed prime minister last Sunday, said that "what happened today was an armed popular uprising to seize power by force and those responsible for the violence will face justice."

He claims that the protesters had firearms and that they are considered rebels. "The security forces reacted only in self-defense," Kebzabo points out.

The International Federation for Human Rights and its partner organizations have reported cases of shootings, torture and arbitrary arrests.

Reuters reports that Chadian journalist Oredje Narcis, who previously worked for that media house, is among the dead. Other confirmed victims include a police officer who was fatally wounded, a 28-year-old protester who was shot in the neck, and Chadian musician Rais Kim, who died in hospital.

Riots in Chad have occurred sporadically since Deby took power last year, but today's is being treated as the bloodiest. Chad declared a state of emergency and a curfew from 18:XNUMX p.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX a.m., although the president declared a state of emergency yesterday due to heavy flooding.