Confrontations between police and protesters in Chad after Deby's candidacy for a sixth term
Police in Chad fired tear gas and arrested some of the hundreds of protesters against the nomination of the country's president, Idriss Deby, on Saturday for a sixth term in April.
Deby, 68, who took power through a rebellion in 1990, pushed for a new constitution in 2018 that redefined presidential terms but allowed him to stay in power until 2033. His opponents accuse him of trying to establish a monarchy.
"People's confidence is a sacred value for me," said Deby, who was awarded the rank of Field Marshal in August, upon accepting the National Salvation Movement's nomination.
In the capital, N'Djamena, a Reuters witness said that hundreds of protesters set fire to car tires and chanted "No for a sixth time!" And "Get out, Debbie."
Police fired tear gas and arrested a number of protesters, including the prominent human rights activist, Mohamed Nour Ibido.
Witnesses said that protests also took place in the cities of Maundo, Doba, Sara and Abéché.
