Chad’s government on Tuesday slapped a state of emergency on three regions in the north and east of the Central African country after clashes between rival ethnic groups.
The state of emergency was ordered for 12 days at a special Cabinet meeting, said a senior government official, who requested anonymity and added that the aim was to allow the army to search and disarm insurgents.
At least 20 people have been killed in recent days in fighting in the Dar Tama region east of the capital, Ndjamena. The clashes have been between ethnic Tamas and Zaghawas.
President Idriss Déby Itno and many members of his entourage are Zaghawas, but his new Defence Minister Mahamat Nour Abdelkerim, a Tama and a main former rebel leader, on Monday accused Zaghawas of attacking Tamas.
Mahamat Nour added that hundreds have died from starvation and in fighting in Dar Tama, while their cattle had been stolen.
The state of emergency covers the Borkou, Ennedi and Tibesti highlands in the north of Chad, the Ouaddai region, which includes the main eastern city of Abeche, where there is a military base, and Wadi Fira, which includes the Dar Tama department. — Sapa-AFP