Chad: Dozens of opposition party sympathizers arrested

The Chadian police arrested Thursday at least 84 sympathizers of the opposition party “Les Transformateurs” on charges of public disorder, amid a very heated political atmosphere in the country.

According to RFI reports, the police accused the arrestees of parading in downtown and organizing rallies without permits from the ministry of security. The law reinforcement forces added that the accused will be investigated.

In reaction of the statement, the party, led by Economist Succès Masra, slammed the accusation and charged the authorities of intimidation.

It also denounced the arbitrary arrests and threatened to protest to obtain the release of its supporters.

Masra’s movement also indicated that its Saturday-planned meeting will go ahead. The party has been staging demonstrations for three weeks against the current leadership led by Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno who took over from his late father killed last year.

Les Transformateurs party refused to join the ongoing national dialogue between Mahamat-led junta and armed groups.

On August 20, Mahamat launched the dialogue expected to lead to “free and democratic” elections and the transfer of power to civilians.