The protest was referred to as by Chadian civil society coalition Wakit Tamma to denounce France’s backing of the Transitional Military Council that seized energy following the battlefield demise of President Idriss Deby in April 2021, a spokesman stated.
Deby’s son Mahamat Idriss is main the army transition which is but to timetable a return to constitutional rule.
“We are demonstrating towards France for its assist for the transitional army council,” stated Mahmoud Moussa, a highschool trainer within the Chadian capital who joined the protest.
A spokesman for the transitional authorities couldn’t be reached for remark.
Protesters vandalised a number of petrol stations in N’djamena operated by French oil main TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA). Some torched French flags, whereas a Russian flag was hoisted on a mast in central N’djamena, in response to a Reuters reporter.
As France’s affect wanes in its former colonies, current protests in international locations equivalent to Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have seen requires elevated army ties with Russia as an alternative of France.
Chad is seen as a robust ally of the west within the struggle towards Islamist militants within the area. Several Western international locations, together with France, keep troops at bases within the nation.
Chad’s capital is the central command hub for France’s counter-terrorism operation for the West Africa area. Around French 1,000 troops are based mostly there.
The French embassy in N’djamena was not instantly obtainable to touch upon the protest.
Last week, the embassy denied a rumor that France was planning to put in new French army bases in Chad, calling it an try at misinformation.