Chadian opposition calls for 'inclusive dialogue', threatens more protests

The Chadian opposition coalition has called for an inclusive dialogue with the government, a few days after the inauguration of President Idriss Deby for a fifth term which was met with violent protests.

“We are ready for an inclusive political dialogue with all the socio-political forces in the countries,” Saleh Kebzabo, an opposition leader said in a statement on behalf of the New Opposition Front for Alternation and Change (FONAC), made up of thirty parties.

“To be practicable, such a dialogue should be conducted under the auspices of (international) partners of Chad who we are used to in these kinds of exercises,” Kebzabo added.

He warned that “large-scale actions will be launched and the coming weeks will not be an easy one for the government.”

The opposition reaffirmed its commitment to continue the “relentless struggle against the party in power holding the whole country hostage”.

A Chadian opposition supporter was shot dead during a banned opposition demonstration in the capital N’Djamena, a day before the inauguration of President Idriss Deby Itno.

The demonstration organised for the inauguration weekend and also a nationwide “dead city” strike on the day of the inauguration was banned by the interior minister Ahmat Mahamat Bachir, yet it was defied.

The opposition is denouncing Deby’s regime describing it as dictatorial and accused it of rigging the April, 2016 election which the incumbent president for 26 years won by 61.6 percent of the votes, with opposition leader Saleh Kebzaho getting 12.8 percent.