Chad political opposition leader killed following assault on party headquarters News
Bagassi Koura (VOA), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Chad political opposition leader killed following assault on party headquarters

The Chadian public prosecutor confirmed the death of opposition leader Yaya Dillo on Thursday at the High Court of N’Djamena, according to local news outlet Al Wihda. Dillo served as the president of the Socialist Party Without Borders (PSF), the main opposition party in Chad. His death comes amidst social unrest surrounding Chad’s upcoming presidential elections.

Dillo was killed following an assault on PSF headquarters on Wednesday. Chadian authorities arrested 26 people in connection with the incident. The context behind the assault remains unclear. Days before the assault, PSF and political party URT-Tchad released a statement claiming that the two groups faced destabilization efforts. Both groups called upon government authorities to take immediate measures to bring an end to the harassment.

The Chadian military government announced this week that the country would hold presidential elections on May 6. Since 2021, the Central African country has been ruled by a transitional military government, with General Mahmat Idriss Déby as transitional president. Deby claimed power after his father’s death, former president Idriss Déby Itno. His government has since been condemned on several occasions for violent suppressions of pro-democracy protests, with reported practices of acts such as ill-treatment and torture of people in detention.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Montgomery started racially-integrated bus service after boycott

On December 21, 1956, buses in Montgomery, Alabama, started racially integrated service following federal court rulings ending on-board segregation. Bus boycott leaders Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and Rev. Ralph Abernathy were among the first riders under the new scheme. Learn about the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Stalin born

On December 21, 1879, Joseph Stalin was born in Gori, Georgia. In 1922, he became leader of the USSR until his death in 1953. During his time as Soviet dictator, Stalin industrialized his country, which he then led to become one of the world's two superpowers after WWII. Through his infamous purges, show trials and nationwide famines, Stalin also became responsible for millions of deaths.