The authorities in Chad have said the country’s delayed presidential elections will take place in May.
The vote is supposed to mark the end of a political transition that began in 2021, when former President Idriss Déby died after three decades in power.
In defiance of the constitution, his son Gen Mahamat Déby was named his successor and promised to return the country to civilian rule.
The transition was delayed and Mr Déby is expected to stand as a candidate.
The announcement has been followed by Heavy gunfire heard in Chad’s capital N’Djamena and a deadly attack on the headquarters of the National Security Agency.
Several people were killed in the attack, the government says, blaming an opposition party.
The government said members of the opposition Socialist Party Without Borders (PSF) have been arrested over the attack on the National Security Agency (ANSE) and will be prosecuted.
Communication Minister Abderaman Koulamallah said the attack was led by PSF leader Yaya Dillo. He has not yet commented.
N’Djamena residents reported hearing intense gunfire near the PSF headquarters on Wednesday. They also reported seeing several military vehicles heading there.