Chad’s capital N’Djamena and other cities experienced closing of markets, shops and slow traffic on Wednesday following countrywide protests by the country’s opposition at President Idriss Deby’s bid for a fresh fifth term in office.
The protest emptied N’Djamena’s two big markets of shoppers and school classrooms remained empty following the call for a nationwide shut-down under the slogan “That’s Enough”.
Banks and private companies remained open for business along with some ministries, but there was far less traffic than usual in the city.
The morning to lunchtime shut-down “was total” in Chad’s second biggest city Moundou, a resident told AFP by telephone. “Not even the motorbike taxis are running,” he said.
In Mao in the northwest trade at the weekly market too was disrupted, a resident said.
The spokesperson for the “That’s Enough” opposition grouping, Mahamat Nour Ibedou, said the cities of Sarh in the south, Abeche in the east and central Mongo were also locked down.
“This shows people have realised they can exercise their democratic rights,” said the spokesperson for the score of civil society groups involved, including the Chadian Human Rights League and the Union of Chadian Trade Unions.
“It also highlights that people are fed up, it’s proof they reject Deby’s candidacy” for president,” he added.
The Central African nation is facing a wave of unrest with students boycotting class and taking to the streets in recent days in protest over a girl named Zouhoura’s brutal gang rape which has been blamed on the sons of senior officials.
The girl was allegedly kidnapped and gang-raped by five young men who then posted a video online showing the victim naked and in tears. The video has since been taken down.
A student was shot dead and five others wounded on Monday when soldiers broke up a protest as demonstration is showed no sign of abating ahead of April’s presidential vote.
Last week the Chadian government slapped a ban on unauthorised demonstrations with the minister for security and immigration accusing students of “sowing disorder” and saying they were “being manipulated by politicking groups.”
