The Chadian government declared a state of emergency on Monday
in the capital N'Djamena and eastern areas following clashes which
killed several hundred people over the last few weeks, reports
reaching Yaounde said.
"Given the seriousness of the situation and the scope these
clashes are taking, the government has adopted a state of emergency
in three regions currently affected" by the fighting, the
government said in a statement.
A government spokesman said the state of emergency covers the
eastern regions of Ouaddai, Wadi Fira and Salamat.
The authorities said the state of emergency aimed to quell
serious threats to public order leading to insecurity that is rife
in these regions, adding that the state of emergency will also
extend to other parts of the African country as a preventive
measure.
The Chadian government also said in the statement that it planned
to appoint district administrators in the regions under the state
of emergency and give them full powers to react.
(Xinhua News Agency November 14, 2006)