Chad’s government insists the situation in the capital N’Djamena is stable after gunshots were heard near the presidential palace.
Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah said in a video purportedly recorded inside the palace complex that there had been a “small incident” but that “everything is peaceful.”
Sources close to the African country’s government said there had been clashes between security forces and “terrorist elements”.
The French news agency AFP reported Koulamallah’s statement that 18 attackers and one member of the security forces had been killed.
After the incident, tanks were seen in the area and all roads leading to the palace were closed, the agency said
The video, posted on Facebook, shows Koulamallah surrounded by government forces.
“Nothing serious happened,” he says.
“We are here and we will defend our country at the cost of our blood. Be calm.
This whole attempt at destabilization has been thwarted.
He is then seen taking photos with the soldiers and raising his fist with them.
AFP quoted Koulamallah as saying the attack was launched by a 24-man commando unit, adding that six attackers were injured.
Three other members of the government forces also sustained injuries, he added.
The incident occurred just hours after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited the former French territory, meeting with President Mahamat Déby and other senior officials.
