Chad bans anti-Deby protest march by civil society activists

A march planned by unions and civil society groups in Chad was on Tuesday banned by the government.

The rights groups have been mounting pressure on president Idriss Deby Itno to step down.

#Tchad: Nouvelle marche pacifique réprimée à N'Djamena #AFP https://t.co/xL4RyOl2jR pic.twitter.com/V8OUgy2Iku

— LeCoMax (@lecomaxnews) April 5, 2016

Last month, three leaders of the rights group were arrested and detained by police in the capital, after calling for protests against the president, their trial resumes on April 7th.

The oil-rich country whose people are among the poorest in the world, has faced unprecedented protests in recent weeks as longtime leader Idris Deby Itno seeks to extend his 26-year rule.

Chad’s electoral commission has already announced that the country will hold its presidential elections on April 10.

Agencies