Chadian president pardons 259 jailed protesters

Chadian President President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno on Monday pardoned 259 people out of the 262 jailed in December during deadly confrontations between police and protesters in the capital, N'Djamena.

They had been convicted for offences including unauthorised assembly, destruction of property, arson, violence and assault during the clashes in which 73 people died.

It comes days after 380 rebels sentenced to life for the death of former ruler Idriss Deby Itno, the current president's father, were also pardoned in an apparent peace gesture.

The late Idriss Deby died during an operation against rebels in 2021. He had ruled the country for 30 years.