Handicapped Chadians forced back to Chad by military

Wheelchair

On the 18th of July, some of the handicapped who protested the discrimination against them by the police at the bridge to Kousseri pushed past the barrier and fled to Kousseri. They vowed not to come back unless their demands were satisfied and they were allowed to use the bridge like normal people. Traditionally the bridge to Kousseri has been open to the handicapped, allowing them to make a living by carrying goods back and forth on their tricycles. According to the government, it’s still open, but the disabled say that they’re not allowed to cross with their tricycles.

After several weeks of “exile” in Kousseri in protest of the discrimination at the bridge, the Chadian government apparently decided that it had been long enough. According to the Association for the Assistance of Persons with Disabilities in Chad, the mayor of Kousseri told them that it was a decision emanating from the Chadian government that prompted their repatriation. While some of the exiles agreed to be repatriated, those who did not where thrown into military trucks and dropped off in Walia, a neighborhood of N’Djamena.

We have not claimed the departure of Mahamat Idriss Deby, nor of the transitional prime minister. Now is not the time for speeches. Let us cross with our tricycles.

Ali Oussignbedé Justin, spokesperson for the Association for the Assistance of Persons with Disabilities in Chad

After the disabled people finally made it back to their office after being dumped in Walia, they decided that enough was enough. Since their objective was clear and not politically motivated, they didn’t see any reason for the harsh treatment. Asking again for the government to “just clear the road for us”, they reminded the authorities that “they were only trying to provide for themselves”. If the government doesn’t take action soon, they’ve promised to start protesting for their rights, threatening those who might stop them.

Woe to those who come to shoot tear gas at us!

Ali Oussignbedé Justin, spokesperson for the Association for the Assistance of Persons with Disabilities in Chad

George Adams

George Adams is a journalist and editor at Heartbeat Africa News. If you have breaking news, let him know at GeorgeAdams@heartbeatafrica.news

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2 Responses

  1. XMC says:

    Useful post can i have your permision to translate into French for my sites viewers? Thanks

    • Peter Lee says:

      Hi “XMC”,
      Thanks for commenting. I’m afraid we’re not at liberty to permit republishing of our content right now. It should also be noted that, as published in our about page, “This website was created as a place to publish English news and press reviews from the heart of Africa. Most news from this area is in French”.
      Peter

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