Chadian opposition insists it will hold its weekend rallies despite ban

The Chadian opposition has decided on Friday to hold its planned rallies on Saturday and Sunday which has been banned due to its proximity to the inauguration of President Idriss Deby Itno on Monday.

“The opposition decided to hold the rally scheduled on Saturday in N’Djamena and the “peaceful march” on Sunday,” the New Opposition Front for Alternation and Change (FONAC) said in a statement.

FONAC, which is a recently formed opposition coalition, also maintains its scheduled “dead city” strike in the entire territory on Monday, the day of the inauguration of Deby which will be attended by several foreign guests.

FONAC also called on its members “not to respond to any provocation” while warning that they will hold “the government accountable for all the excesses that will occur”.

The political group met on Friday to review the Decree of the Ministry of Interior banning the Saturday rally and the march on Sunday.

The opposition also announced that they have filed a complaint of “high treason” against the president at the High Court disputing his first-round reelection in April.

Among the other suits filed are “illegal seizure of power by force”, “serious violation of human rights” and “misappropriation of public funds and corruption.”

Deby’s inauguration ceremony will take place on Monday in N’Djamena in the presence of a dozen African heads of state and other guests including the French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, according to the protocol services.

“Marching is likely to disturb public order, destabilize the population and poison national and international public opinion, we can not allow it,” the Interior Minister Ahmat Mahamat Bachir said on Thursday.

Idris Deby Itno who has been in power since 1990, was re-elected in April in the first round with nearly 60% of the vote, far ahead of his nearest rival, the opposition leader Saleh Kebzabo with 12.77%.