Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
The Chadian government has insisted that the situation in the N’Djamena capitol is stable after gunshots were heard near the presidential palace.
Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah said in a video recorded inside the palace that it was a “small incident” but that “everything is calm”.
Sources close to the African state’s government said clashes had taken place between security forces and “terrorist elements”.
French news agency AFP said 18 attackers and one member of the security forces were killed, Koulamallah said.
After the incident, tanks were seen in the area and all roads leading to the palace were closed, the agency said.
In the video posted on Facebook, Koulamallah is seen surrounded by members of the government forces.
“Nothing serious happened,” he says.
“We are here and we will defend our country at the price of our blood. keep calm
“This destabilization attempt has been thwarted.”
He is then seen taking pictures with the soldiers and raising his fist.
AFP quoted Koulamallah as saying that the attack was carried out by a 24-man commando unit, adding that six of the attackers were wounded.
Three other members of the government forces were also injured, he added.
The incident happened a few hours after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited the former French territory, where he met with President Mahamat Déby and other high-ranking officials.
