Protests against regime and govt repression continued raising concerns for potential violence around 10 April presidential election. Constitutional council 7 March validated fourteen presidential candidacies. Govt 19 March banned demonstrations except electoral campaigning. Police 21-23 March arrested several civil society leaders for calling for anti-Déby marches; all charged with “attack on public order”. Civil society coalitions called for national strike to protest arrests, strike widely observed 29 March.

Civil unrest and police crackdown worsened ahead of 10 April presidential vote. Ruling Mouvement patriotique du salut (MPS) 9 Feb named Déby presidential candidate; Déby said if re-elected he would reintroduce two presidential term limit and move to federal system. Govt 13 Feb announced MP Albert Pahimi Padacké from SW as new PM. Opposition MP Ngarledji Yorongar 27 Feb announced candidacy for presidential vote. Starting early Feb police cracked down on frequent anti-govt protests. Youth marches began 15 Feb against 13 Feb rape for which sons of FM and generals arrested; one boy killed. Civil society created “ça suffit” platform calling for villes mortes national strike protesting Déby’s fifth term bid; declared illegal by govt, observed in major cities 24 Feb.

Electoral commission (CENI) 23 Jan announced calendar for presidential elections: first round 10 April, possible second round 9 May. Opposition 21 Jan criticised new biometric voter registration system as unreliable, saying it opened window for fraud. Nevertheless, three opposition leaders, Kassiré Koumakoye, Malloum Yobode and Clément Djimet Bagaou, declared candidacy; Saleh Kebzabo also expected to run. Two Boko Haram (BH) suicide attacks 31 Jan killed three, wounded 56. In mounting social unrest, unions of teachers and social and health workers 18 Jan went on strike in Salamat region, protesting payment arrears. Army intervened in Batha region mid-Jan after clashes over new gold discoveries left ten dead. AU summit 30 Jan appointed President Déby AU chairman for one year.

Boko Haram continued to launch deadly attacks despite strengthening of security measures in Lake Chad region and deployment of significant military forces in area. At least 27 killed and 130 injured 5 Dec when four female suicide bombers targeted market on Koulfoua island. Trade Unions 8 Dec called strike to protest nonpayment of salaries; student protests erupted in Pala, SW, violently repressed by security forces; students in Abéché in east protested 9 Dec against one-month interruption of classes triggering violent clashes with police. As Chad’s economy struggles, IMF 15 Dec approved immediate disbursement of $28.7mn credit facility; African Development Bank 10 Dec announced $18mn funding to finance project to support public finances reforms; World Bank same day announced $50mn pledge to finance budget consolidation program. Opposition leader Saleh Kebzabo late Dec called for political dialogue ahead of April 2016 elections in order to organise credible polls.

Boko Haram (BH) attacks and suicide bombings continued despite significant army deployment in Lake Chad area: authorities 9 Nov declared twelve-day state of emergency in Lake Chad region, extended to four months after two BH attacks in Kaiga Kinguirya and Bamou 1 Nov, and in Ngouboua 8 Nov. FM Moussa Faki Mahamat announced military will conduct land operations in Lake Chad area once rainy season over, 10 Nov called for greater support for fight against BH at Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security. Creation of joint military force announced at second G5 Sahel Summit in N’Djamena 20 Nov. As economy continued to falter, unions went on strike 11 Nov over delay in payment of teachers’ salaries. President Déby urgently hospitalised in Paris 23 Nov prompting speculation over his health.

Boko Haram (BH) attacks continued: suspected BH militants 6 Oct killed eleven Chadian soldiers in attack in Kaiga Ngouboua near Nigerian border; at least 41 killed 10 Oct in coordinated suicide bombings in Baga Sola town on Lake Chad and nearby refugee camp. Govt early Oct announced new austerity measures as economic downturn continued. President Déby 5 Oct met French counterpart to discuss Central African Republic crisis; 11 Oct met Libyan General Haftar to discuss Libya. Déby 24 Oct arrested and dismissed his brother Salaye Déby, accused of corruption/embezzling, from position as Director of Customs.

Opposition to new anti-terrorist measures including burqa ban increased: 30 political parties 12 Sept signed statement denouncing police intimidation. Multinational Joint Task Force still not operational as sporadic Boko Haram (BH) attacks in Lake Chad continued, amid worsening humanitarian situation: UN humanitarian affairs chief 25 Sept warned about refugee crisis in Chad.

Operations against Boko Haram (BH) continued in Lake Chad region. Chad, Nigeria, Benin, Niger and Cameroon chiefs of staff met 22 Aug to finalise Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF), no precise deadline set for its deployment. Ten BH members convicted for involvement in June attacks in N’Djamena executed 29 Aug. President Deby 11 Aug said BH leader Abubakar Shekau killed; BH 16 Aug released audio recording of Shekau denying death. Deby 11 Aug implied he will run for fourth term in 2016 presidential elections, citing concern for country’s security.

Boko Haram (BH) attacks intensified: at least seventeen killed, 80 injured in 11 July suicide attack on N’Djamena’s main market; at least 39 killed in suspected BH raids on Lake Chad villages throughout month; army 25 July launched military operation against BH on Lake Chad islands, 30 July announced it killed 117 BH fighters. Govt 3 July adopted new anti-terrorism law; opposition leader Saleh Kebzabo 21 July warned law could be used to curtail freedom of assembly.

First suspected Boko Haram (BH) suicide attack in N’Djamena 15 June targeted police academy; at least 30 killed, some 100 injured. Govt increased security in N’Djamena, 15 June closed border with Cameroon and expelled some 300 Cameroonians 26-27 June; 17 June launched offensive, reportedly bombing six BH camps in Nigeria. Prosecutor 28 June said 60 suspects arrested, terrorist cell dismantled. At least eleven, including five police, killed in 29 June raid on suspected BH militants in N’Djamena when suspects detonated explosives. PM Deubet 17 June banned burqas.