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{{Short description|Chadian politician (1974–2024)}}
[[File:Dillo photo.jpg|thumb]]
{{Infobox officeholder
'''Yaya Dillo Djérou''' is a [[Chad]]ian politician, leader of the opposition. He is a nephew of [[Mahamat Déby]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://weafrica24.com/2024/02/13/tchad-saleh-deby-itno-uncle-of-transitional-president-joins-opposition-figure-yaya-dillo-whats-behind-it/|title=Tchad: Saleh Déby Itno, Uncle of Transitional President, Joins Opposition Figure Yaya Dillo—What’s Behind It?|author=Soukaina Sghir|work=weafrica24|date=February 13, 2024|access-date=28 February 2024}}</ref>
| name = Yaya Dillo Djérou Bétchi
| image = YDDB.jpg
| alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software -->
| caption =
| birth_name = <!-- only use if different from name -->
| birth_date = 18 December 1974
| birth_place = [[Kaoura]], Chad
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=y|2024|02|28|1974|12|18}}
| death_place = [[N'Djamena]], Chad
| death_cause = [[Assassination]]
| other_names =
| occupation =
| years_active =
| known_for =
| notable_works =
| education = [[University of Ottawa]]
| party = [[Patriotic Salvation Movement|MPS]] <br/> [[Socialist Party without Borders|PSF]]
| office = Minister of Mines and Energy
| term_start = September 2008
| term_end = March 2009
| office2 = Ambassador of Chad to the [[Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa]]
| term_start2 = 2018
| term_end2 = 2020
| office3 = Leader of [[Socialist Party without Borders]]
| term_start3 = 6 August 2021
| term_end3 = 28 February 2024
| predecessor3 = [[Dinamou Daram]]
| successor3 = TBD
| native_name_lang = ar
| native_name = {{nobold|يحيى ديلو جيرو}}
}}


'''Yaya Dillo Djérou Bétchi''' ({{Langx|ar|يحيى ديلو جيرو}}; 18 December 1974 – 28 February 2024) was a Chadian politician, and president of the opposition [[Socialist Party Without Borders]] in 2021 until his assassination in 2024.<ref name="death">{{Cite web |url=https://www.francetvinfo.fr/monde/afrique/tchad/tchad-plusieurs-morts-dans-une-attaque-contre-une-agence-des-services-de-renseignement_6393463.html |title=Tchad : plusieurs morts dans une attaque contre une agence des services de renseignement, France Info and AFP, 28 February 2024 |access-date=28 February 2024 |archive-date=29 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229082534/https://www.francetvinfo.fr/monde/afrique/tchad/tchad-plusieurs-morts-dans-une-attaque-contre-une-agence-des-services-de-renseignement_6393463.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He was a cousin of President [[Mahamat Déby]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://weafrica24.com/2024/02/13/tchad-saleh-deby-itno-uncle-of-transitional-president-joins-opposition-figure-yaya-dillo-whats-behind-it/|title=Tchad: Saleh Déby Itno, Uncle of Transitional President, Joins Opposition Figure Yaya Dillo—What's Behind It?|author=Soukaina Sghir|work=weafrica24|date=February 13, 2024|access-date=28 February 2024|archive-date=28 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228175902/https://weafrica24.com/2024/02/13/tchad-saleh-deby-itno-uncle-of-transitional-president-joins-opposition-figure-yaya-dillo-whats-behind-it/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-68435145|title=Yaya Dillo: Chad opposition leader killed in shootout|work=BBC News|first1=Mayeni|last1=Jones|first2=Wedaeli|last2=Chibelushi|date=29 February 2024|access-date=29 February 2024|archive-date=16 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316061454/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-68435145|url-status=live}}</ref> and a major opponent of Déby in the [[2024 Chadian presidential election|2024 presidential elections]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Chadian opposition leader dies in gun exchange, state prosecutor says |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/29/chadian-opposition-leader-dies-in-gun-exchange-state-prosecutor-says |access-date=14 May 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |date=29 February 2024 |archive-date=3 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303135521/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/29/chadian-opposition-leader-dies-in-gun-exchange-state-prosecutor-says |url-status=live }}</ref> Shortly after the date of the 2024 elections was announced, Dillo was killed in a reported exchange of fire with government security forces after allegedly leading an attack on the National State Security Agency.<ref name=":0" />
⚫
== Life ==
⚫
On October 14, 2005, when the government of [[Idriss Déby]] had to admit desertions in the army, especially from the [[Zaghawa people|Zaghawa]], the President's ethnic group. These deserters were under the leadership of Djérou; based in the [[Sudan]]ese region of [[Darfur]] Djérou, a former telecommunications engineer, had left Déby's party [[Mouvement Patriotique de Salut|MPS]] and became president of a revolutionary junta ("président du collège révolutionnaire") heading an organization called [[Platform for Change, Unity and Democracy]] (SCUD), a rebel alliance. The group has declared it plans to overthrow Déby, and is of zaghawa ethnicity. To open negotiations with the government, he has demanded that all political prisoners be freed.<ref>[http://www.rfi.fr/actufr/articles/070/article_39329.asp RFI - Tchad - Rivalités zaghawa<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.irinnews.org/PrintReport.aspx?ReportId=56827 IRIN – Print Report<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


==Early life and education==
He has successively left armed rebellion to become a cabinet minister in Déby's government.<ref>[http://www.internal-displacement.org/8025708F004CE90B/%28httpDocuments%29/5C40E9F987210268C125747D0064C15E/$file/Chad-Sudan_Proxy_War_and_Darfurization_of_Chad.pdf Chad-Sudan Proxy War and Darfurization of Chad]</ref>
Born on 18 December 1974, in [[Kaoura]], [[Ennedi-Est (region)|Ennedi-Est]], Chad,<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 2024 |title=Tchad: qui fut Yaya Dillo, opposant au régime Déby, mort suite à l'assaut du siège de son parti ? |url=https://oeildafrique.com/ilsfontlactualite/tchad-qui-fut-yaya-dillo-opposant-au-regime-deby-mort-suite-a-lassaut-du-siege-de-son-parti/ |work=Œil d'Afrique |archive-date=2024-03-04 |access-date=2024-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304030401/https://oeildafrique.com/ilsfontlactualite/tchad-qui-fut-yaya-dillo-opposant-au-regime-deby-mort-suite-a-lassaut-du-siege-de-son-parti/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=29 February 2024 |title=Tchad: l'opposant Yaya Dillo tué à N'Djamena |url=https://www.wakatsera.com/tchad-lopposant-yaya-dillo-tue-a-ndjamena/ |work=Wakat Séra |archive-date=4 March 2024 |access-date=4 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304030714/https://www.wakatsera.com/tchad-lopposant-yaya-dillo-tue-a-ndjamena/ |url-status=live }}</ref> a teenaged Dillo participated in an offensive that culminated in [[Idriss Déby]] ousting President [[Hissène Habré]] in [[1990 Chadian coup d'état|a coup d'état in 1990.]]<ref name="APA News">[https://apanews.net/the-deadly-ambition-of-yaya-dillo-chads-staunchest-opponent/ The deadly ambition of Yaya Dillo, Chad's staunchest opponent] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314161736/https://apanews.net/the-deadly-ambition-of-yaya-dillo-chads-staunchest-opponent/ |date=2024-03-14 }}, APA News</ref>


After the coup, Dillo obtained a bachelor's degree in mathematics, then received a degree in electrical engineering and telecommunications from the [[University of Ottawa]].<ref name="APA News" />
On 28 February 2021, security forces raided Yaya Dillo Djérou's home in [[N'Djamena]], killing five of his relatives, including his mother and son. A government statement says the raid is an operation to arrest Dillo. Two other people were also killed and five wounded in the ensuing fight.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chad opposition leader says several relatives killed in home raid |website=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620022052/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/28/chad-opposition-candidate-says-security-forces-raided-his-home |archive-date=2023-06-20 |url-status=live |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/28/chad-opposition-candidate-says-security-forces-raided-his-home}}</ref>


==Chadian Civil War (2005–2010)==
In March 2021, Yaya Dillo Djerou affirms that he will "take international justice" against the regime of Idris Déby.
⚫
On 14 October 2005, the government of Idriss Déby admitted that there were desertions in the army, especially by the [[Zaghawa people|Zaghawa]], the President's ethnic group. These deserters were under the leadership of Dillo; based in the [[Sudan]]ese region of [[Darfur]]. Dillo, a former telecommunications engineer, had left Déby's party [[Mouvement Patriotique de Salut|MPS]] and become president of a revolutionary junta ("président du collège révolutionnaire") heading an organization called [[Platform for Change, Unity and Democracy]] (SCUD), a rebel alliance. The group declared its plans to overthrow Déby, and is of Zaghawa ethnicity. To open negotiations with the government, he demanded that all political prisoners be freed.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mas |first=Monique |date=22 October 2005 |title=Rivalités zaghawa |url=http://www1.rfi.fr/actufr/articles/070/article_39329.asp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051024044225/http://www.rfi.fr/actufr/articles/070/article_39329.asp |archive-date=24 October 2005 |work=Radio France Internationale}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=25 October 2005 |title=CHAD: Aid workers return to camps despite breakdown in talks with deserters |url=http://www.irinnews.org/PrintReport.aspx?ReportId=56827 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925214237/http://www.irinnews.org/PrintReport.aspx?ReportId=56827 |archive-date=25 September 2012 |work=IRIN}}</ref>


Dillo subsequently laid down arms to become a cabinet minister in Déby's government, serving as Minister of Mines and Energy from September 2008 to March 2009.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Tubiana |first=Jérôme |title=The Chad-Sudan Proxy War and the "Darfurization" of Chad: Myths and Reality |date=April 2008 |publisher=Graduate Institute of International Studies |year=2008 |isbn=978-2-8288-0095-6 |location=Geneva |publication-date=2008 |url=https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1209149/1002_1257165499_swp-12-chad-sudan-proxy-war.pdf |archive-date=2024-03-06 |access-date=2024-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240306154426/https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1209149/1002_1257165499_swp-12-chad-sudan-proxy-war.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="France">{{cite news|last=|first=|date=1 March 2024|title=Tchad : qui était l'opposant Yaya Dillo Djerou, tué par les forces de sécurité ?|trans-title=|url=https://www.france24.com/fr/afrique/20240301-tchad-qui-%C3%A9tait-l-opposant-yaya-dillo-tu%C3%A9-par-les-forces-de-s%C3%A9curit%C3%A9|language=French|work=[[France 24]]|location=|access-date=3 March 2024|archive-date=5 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305105738/https://www.france24.com/fr/afrique/20240301-tchad-qui-%C3%A9tait-l-opposant-yaya-dillo-tu%C3%A9-par-les-forces-de-s%C3%A9curit%C3%A9|url-status=live}}</ref>
In February 2024, an attack on the offices of the powerful Chadian intelligence services caused "several deaths" in N'Djamena. The Chadian government blamed the Socialist Party Without Borders (PSF) led by Yaya Dillo. This attack came after the arrest of a member of the PSF, accused of “attempted assassination against the president of the Supreme Court”<ref>[https://www.francetvinfo.fr/monde/afrique/tchad/tchad-plusieurs-morts-dans-une-attaque-contre-une-agence-des-services-de-renseignement_6393463.html Tchad : plusieurs morts dans une attaque contre une agence des services de renseignement, France Info and AFP, 28 February 2024]</ref> and a day after the announcement that the presidential elections will be held on 6 May. In the response military vehicles surrounded the PSF headquarters amid heave gunfire. Acording to an internet watchdog Netblocks, connectivity has been restricted.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-68424115 |publisher=[[CBS News]] |date=February 28, 2024 |title=Chad fighting Heavy gunfire in N'Djamena after attack on security HQ - BBC News |access-date=February 28, 2024 }}</ref>

==Later career==
From 2018 to 2020, Dillo was Ambassador of Chad to the [[Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa]].<ref name="France"/><ref>{{cite news|last=|first=|date=17 May 2021|title=President Déby uses tanks to arrest rival, as Chad becomes ungovernable|trans-title=|url=https://menas.co.uk/blog/president-deby-uses-tanks-to-arrest-rival-as-chad-becomes-ungovernable|language=|work=Menas Associates|location=|access-date=3 March 2024|archive-date=4 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304170147/https://menas.co.uk/blog/president-deby-uses-tanks-to-arrest-rival-as-chad-becomes-ungovernable|url-status=live}}</ref> Dismissed after the start of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Chad|COVID-19 pandemic]], he spoke out against a "conflict of interest" between the ''Grand Cœur'' foundation, run by First Lady [[Hinda Déby Itno]] and the Chadian government. He was then sued by the foundation for defamation.<ref>{{cite news|last=Olivier|first=Mathieu|date=1 March 2021|title=Tchad : ce que les autorités reprochent à l'opposant Yaya Dillo Djerou|trans-title=|url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1129382/politique/tchad-ce-que-les-autorites-reprochent-a-lopposant-yaya-dillo-djerou/|language=French|work=[[Jeune Afrique]]|location=|access-date=3 March 2024|archive-date=6 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240306205057/https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1129382/politique/tchad-ce-que-les-autorites-reprochent-a-lopposant-yaya-dillo-djerou/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 28 February 2021, security forces raided Dillo's home in [[N'Djamena]], killing five of his relatives, including his mother and son. A government statement said the raid was an operation to arrest him. Two other people were also killed and five wounded in the ensuing fight.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chad opposition leader says several relatives killed in home raid |website=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620022052/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/28/chad-opposition-candidate-says-security-forces-raided-his-home |archive-date=2023-06-20 |url-status=live |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/28/chad-opposition-candidate-says-security-forces-raided-his-home}}</ref> The next week, three candidates in the [[2021 Chadian presidential election|presidential election]] withdrew in protest and fear of similar consequences.<ref>{{cite news|last=|first=|date=4 March 2021|title=Tchad : trois candidats se retirent de l'élection présidentielle|trans-title=|url=https://fr.africanews.com/2021/03/04/tchad-trois-candidats-se-retirent-de-l-election-presidentielle/|language=French|work=[[Africanews]]|location=|access-date=3 March 2024|archive-date=4 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304004752/https://fr.africanews.com/2021/03/04/tchad-trois-candidats-se-retirent-de-l-election-presidentielle//|url-status=live}}</ref> The attacks were condemned by the [[African Union]], and [[Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (France)|French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs]] [[Jean-Yves Le Drian]] called on an impartial investigation into the incident.<ref>{{cite news|last=Larcher|first=Laurent|date=11 March 2021|title=Au Tchad, la campagne présidentielle se durcit|trans-title=|url=https://www.la-croix.com/Monde/Au-Tchad-campagne-presidentielle-durcit-2021-03-11-1201144969|language=French|work=[[La Croix (newspaper)|La Croix]]|location=|access-date=3 March 2024|archive-date=9 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309034857/https://www.la-croix.com/Monde/Au-Tchad-campagne-presidentielle-durcit-2021-03-11-1201144969|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 6 August 2021, Dillo was named president of the Socialist Party without Borders, replacing founder [[Dinamou Daram]], who was serving a jail sentence.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bab|first=Lobey|date=6 August 2021|title=Yaya Dillo Djerou Betchi nouveau président du parti socialiste sans frontière|trans-title=|url=https://www.lepaystchad.com/18298/|language=French|work=Le pays Tchad|location=|access-date=3 March 2024|archive-date=4 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304041531/https://www.lepaystchad.com/18298/|url-status=live}}</ref>

⚫
== Death ==
On 28 February 2024, a shooting outside the offices of the Chadian intelligence services in N'Djamena caused several deaths. The Chadian government blamed the [[Socialist Party Without Borders]] (PSF), headed by Dillo. Oumar Mahamat Kedelaye, Chad's national prosecutor, alleged that Dillo led a well-armed group of men in 11 vehicles during the shooting and that his death was related to the attack.<ref name="NY Times">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/29/world/africa/chad-yaya-dillo-killed.html |title=Opposition Leader in Chad Is Killed in a Shootout Months Before Elections |first=Ruth |last=Maclean |work=The New York Times |date=1 March 2024 |access-date=14 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511014704/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/29/world/africa/chad-yaya-dillo-killed.html |archive-date=11 May 2024 |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}</ref> This attack came after the arrest of [[Ahmed Torabi]], a PSF member accused of trying to assassinate the president of the [[Supreme Court of Chad|Supreme Court]],<ref name="death"/> and a day after the announcement that the [[2024 Chadian presidential election|presidential elections]] would be held on 6 May. Dillo, a cousin of President [[Mahamat Déby]], was expected to be a contender.<ref name=":0" /> [[Amnesty International]] said that the government's account of what happened between the attack on the Supreme Court and Dillo's death did not clarify what happened.<ref name="NY Times"/>

After the news of both the shooting and Torabi's arrest emerged, Dillo claimed that the attacks were staged by the Chadian government. Dillo said that Torabi was executed by security forces after his arrest, with his body being placed outside the offices of the Chadian intelligence services. Other PSF members and Torabi's relatives went there to retrieve his body, but were ambushed by soldiers, resulting in several deaths.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/28/chad-announces-several-deaths-after-foiled-intelligence-office-attack|title=Troops deployed, internet shut down in Chad's capital amid deadly violence|work=Al Jazeera|date=28 February 2024|access-date=14 May 2024|archive-date=8 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308061925/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/28/chad-announces-several-deaths-after-foiled-intelligence-office-attack|url-status=live}}</ref>

In response, military vehicles surrounded the PSF headquarters amid heavy gunfire. According to an internet watchdog [[Netblocks]], connectivity was restricted.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-68424115 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=February 28, 2024 |title=Chad fighting Heavy gunfire in N'Djamena after attack on security HQ |first=Paul |last=Njie |access-date=February 28, 2024 |archive-date=February 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229085130/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-68424115 |url-status=live }}</ref> Dillo was killed after his party's office was besieged by the [[Chadian Army]] amid unrest over the elections.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rfi.fr/fr/en-bref/20240229-tchad-l-opposant-yaya-dillo-est-mort-a-annonc%C3%A9-le-procureur-pr%C3%A8s-le-tribunal-de-grande-instance-de-ndjamena|title=Tchad: l'opposant Yaya Dillo est mort, a annoncé le procureur près le tribunal de grande instance de Ndjamena|work=RFI|language=French|date=29 February 2024|access-date=29 February 2024|archive-date=29 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229132600/https://www.rfi.fr/fr/en-bref/20240229-tchad-l-opposant-yaya-dillo-est-mort-a-annonc%C3%A9-le-procureur-pr%C3%A8s-le-tribunal-de-grande-instance-de-ndjamena|url-status=live}}</ref> His party alleged he was "assassinated by the Republican Guard." Chadian communications minister Abderaman Koulamallah said, "[Dillo] didn't want to surrender and fired on law enforcement."<ref name=":0" />


== References ==
== References ==
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{{Chadian-Sudanese conflict}}
{{Chadian-Sudanese conflict}}


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{{DEFAULTSORT:Dillo Djerou, Yaya}}

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[[Category:1974 births]]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Djerou, Yaya}}
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[[Category:2024 deaths]]

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[[Category:1976 births]]
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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Chadian rebels]]
[[Category:Chadian rebels]]
[[Category:Chadian Civil War (2005–2010)]]
[[Category:Chadian Civil War (2005–2010)]]
[[Category:Assassinated Chadian politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Chadian politicians]]
[[Category:Zaghawa people]]
[[Category:Zaghawa people]]
[[Category:Mining ministers of Chad]]
[[Category:Mining ministers of Chad]]
[[Category:Energy ministers of Chad]]
[[Category:Energy ministers of Chad]]
[[Category:Politicians assassinated in 2024]]
[[Category:People murdered in Chad]]

Latest revision as of 23:14, 9 January 2025

Yaya Dillo Djérou Bétchi
يحيى ديلو جيرو
Minister of Mines and Energy
In office
September 2008 – March 2009
Ambassador of Chad to the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa
In office
2018–2020
Leader of Socialist Party without Borders
In office
6 August 2021 – 28 February 2024
Preceded byDinamou Daram
Succeeded byTBD
Personal details
Born18 December 1974
Kaoura, Chad
Died28 February 2024(2024-02-28) (aged 49)
N'Djamena, Chad
Manner of deathAssassination
Political partyMPS
PSF
EducationUniversity of Ottawa

Yaya Dillo Djérou Bétchi (Arabic: يحيى ديلو جيرو; 18 December 1974 – 28 February 2024) was a Chadian politician, and president of the opposition Socialist Party Without Borders in 2021 until his assassination in 2024.[1] He was a cousin of President Mahamat Déby[2][3] and a major opponent of Déby in the 2024 presidential elections.[4] Shortly after the date of the 2024 elections was announced, Dillo was killed in a reported exchange of fire with government security forces after allegedly leading an attack on the National State Security Agency.[4]

Early life and education

[edit]

Born on 18 December 1974, in Kaoura, Ennedi-Est, Chad,[5][6] a teenaged Dillo participated in an offensive that culminated in Idriss Déby ousting President Hissène Habré in a coup d'état in 1990.[7]

After the coup, Dillo obtained a bachelor's degree in mathematics, then received a degree in electrical engineering and telecommunications from the University of Ottawa.[7]

Chadian Civil War (2005–2010)

[edit]

On 14 October 2005, the government of Idriss Déby admitted that there were desertions in the army, especially by the Zaghawa, the President's ethnic group. These deserters were under the leadership of Dillo; based in the Sudanese region of Darfur. Dillo, a former telecommunications engineer, had left Déby's party MPS and become president of a revolutionary junta ("président du collège révolutionnaire") heading an organization called Platform for Change, Unity and Democracy (SCUD), a rebel alliance. The group declared its plans to overthrow Déby, and is of Zaghawa ethnicity. To open negotiations with the government, he demanded that all political prisoners be freed.[8][9]

Dillo subsequently laid down arms to become a cabinet minister in Déby's government, serving as Minister of Mines and Energy from September 2008 to March 2009.[10][11]

Later career

[edit]

From 2018 to 2020, Dillo was Ambassador of Chad to the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa.[11][12] Dismissed after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, he spoke out against a "conflict of interest" between the Grand Cœur foundation, run by First Lady Hinda Déby Itno and the Chadian government. He was then sued by the foundation for defamation.[13]

On 28 February 2021, security forces raided Dillo's home in N'Djamena, killing five of his relatives, including his mother and son. A government statement said the raid was an operation to arrest him. Two other people were also killed and five wounded in the ensuing fight.[14] The next week, three candidates in the presidential election withdrew in protest and fear of similar consequences.[15] The attacks were condemned by the African Union, and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian called on an impartial investigation into the incident.[16]

On 6 August 2021, Dillo was named president of the Socialist Party without Borders, replacing founder Dinamou Daram, who was serving a jail sentence.[17]

Death

[edit]

On 28 February 2024, a shooting outside the offices of the Chadian intelligence services in N'Djamena caused several deaths. The Chadian government blamed the Socialist Party Without Borders (PSF), headed by Dillo. Oumar Mahamat Kedelaye, Chad's national prosecutor, alleged that Dillo led a well-armed group of men in 11 vehicles during the shooting and that his death was related to the attack.[18] This attack came after the arrest of Ahmed Torabi, a PSF member accused of trying to assassinate the president of the Supreme Court,[1] and a day after the announcement that the presidential elections would be held on 6 May. Dillo, a cousin of President Mahamat Déby, was expected to be a contender.[4] Amnesty International said that the government's account of what happened between the attack on the Supreme Court and Dillo's death did not clarify what happened.[18]

After the news of both the shooting and Torabi's arrest emerged, Dillo claimed that the attacks were staged by the Chadian government. Dillo said that Torabi was executed by security forces after his arrest, with his body being placed outside the offices of the Chadian intelligence services. Other PSF members and Torabi's relatives went there to retrieve his body, but were ambushed by soldiers, resulting in several deaths.[19]

In response, military vehicles surrounded the PSF headquarters amid heavy gunfire. According to an internet watchdog Netblocks, connectivity was restricted.[20] Dillo was killed after his party's office was besieged by the Chadian Army amid unrest over the elections.[21] His party alleged he was "assassinated by the Republican Guard." Chadian communications minister Abderaman Koulamallah said, "[Dillo] didn't want to surrender and fired on law enforcement."[4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Tchad : plusieurs morts dans une attaque contre une agence des services de renseignement, France Info and AFP, 28 February 2024". Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  2. ^ Soukaina Sghir (February 13, 2024). "Tchad: Saleh Déby Itno, Uncle of Transitional President, Joins Opposition Figure Yaya Dillo—What's Behind It?". weafrica24. Archived from the original on 28 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  3. ^ Jones, Mayeni; Chibelushi, Wedaeli (29 February 2024). "Yaya Dillo: Chad opposition leader killed in shootout". BBC News. Archived from the original on 16 March 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d "Chadian opposition leader dies in gun exchange, state prosecutor says". Al Jazeera. 29 February 2024. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Tchad: qui fut Yaya Dillo, opposant au régime Déby, mort suite à l'assaut du siège de son parti ?". Œil d'Afrique. February 2024. Archived from the original on 2024-03-04. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  6. ^ "Tchad: l'opposant Yaya Dillo tué à N'Djamena". Wakat Séra. 29 February 2024. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  7. ^ a b The deadly ambition of Yaya Dillo, Chad's staunchest opponent Archived 2024-03-14 at the Wayback Machine, APA News
  8. ^ Mas, Monique (22 October 2005). "Rivalités zaghawa". Radio France Internationale. Archived from the original on 24 October 2005.
  9. ^ "CHAD: Aid workers return to camps despite breakdown in talks with deserters". IRIN. 25 October 2005. Archived from the original on 25 September 2012.
  10. ^ Tubiana, Jérôme (April 2008). The Chad-Sudan Proxy War and the "Darfurization" of Chad: Myths and Reality (PDF). Geneva: Graduate Institute of International Studies (published 2008). ISBN 978-2-8288-0095-6. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-03-06. Retrieved 2024-03-04.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  11. ^ a b "Tchad : qui était l'opposant Yaya Dillo Djerou, tué par les forces de sécurité ?". France 24 (in French). 1 March 2024. Archived from the original on 5 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  12. ^ "President Déby uses tanks to arrest rival, as Chad becomes ungovernable". Menas Associates. 17 May 2021. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  13. ^ Olivier, Mathieu (1 March 2021). "Tchad : ce que les autorités reprochent à l'opposant Yaya Dillo Djerou". Jeune Afrique (in French). Archived from the original on 6 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  14. ^ "Chad opposition leader says several relatives killed in home raid". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 2023-06-20.
  15. ^ "Tchad : trois candidats se retirent de l'élection présidentielle". Africanews (in French). 4 March 2021. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  16. ^ Larcher, Laurent (11 March 2021). "Au Tchad, la campagne présidentielle se durcit". La Croix (in French). Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  17. ^ Bab, Lobey (6 August 2021). "Yaya Dillo Djerou Betchi nouveau président du parti socialiste sans frontière". Le pays Tchad (in French). Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  18. ^ a b Maclean, Ruth (1 March 2024). "Opposition Leader in Chad Is Killed in a Shootout Months Before Elections". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  19. ^ "Troops deployed, internet shut down in Chad's capital amid deadly violence". Al Jazeera. 28 February 2024. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  20. ^ Njie, Paul (February 28, 2024). "Chad fighting Heavy gunfire in N'Djamena after attack on security HQ". BBC News. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  21. ^ "Tchad: l'opposant Yaya Dillo est mort, a annoncé le procureur près le tribunal de grande instance de Ndjamena". RFI (in French). 29 February 2024. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
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