The Office of the Chadian President, earlier this week rejected accusations made by MP Takilal Ndolassem Hilaire, who claims that members of the president’s staff demand money to secure a presidential audience.
The Presidency called the allegations unfounded and reserved the right to pursue legal action.
In a statement signed by Aziz Mahamat Saleh, Minister-Director of the Civil Cabinet of the President of the Republic of Chad, denying allegations of audience manipulation, the Presidency reiterated that all requests for an audience follow a “clear, transparent, and rigorously regulated” administrative procedure before being submitted to the president for a decision.
The cabinet emphasised that submitting a request does not guarantee acceptance or an automatic appointment. Responding directly to statements made by MP Takilal Ndolassem Hilaire on Facebook on July 29, the Presidency asserts that the MP’s request for a meeting had already been approved for scheduling by the head of state on July 27, two days before the video was published.
In the video, the MP claimed to have submitted 17 requests for a meeting and accused presidential staff of demanding five million CFA francs to facilitate access to the head of state.
Considering these accusations damage the honour of his staff and the credibility of the institutions, the President’s office indicates that it reserves the right to take “any appropriate legal action.”
This clarification comes amid tensions between the government and a segment of the opposition. The previous day, the Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, Gassim Cherif Mahamat, had denounced the
personal attacks on social media targeting the highest authorities of the state. The MP had responded publicly on Facebook, asserting his popular legitimacy, in an exchange that fuelled debates on the relationship between institutions and political actors.
The president’s statement thus constitutes an official and direct response to the accusations levelled against the his staff.
CA/te/Sf/fss/as/APA