In a recent development, legal action is set to be taken against a French military nurse who fatally shot a Chadian soldier on September 5th in the city of Faya, located in the northern part of Chad. Tchad Infos reports that the accused nurse will be repatriated to France to stand trial, in accordance with an agreement between the Republic of Chad and France.
The incident took place in Faya-Largeau, the capital of the Borkou province in northern Chad. Following the shooting, the French soldier was questioned and subsequently handed over to his embassy for repatriation to France, as confirmed by Tchad Infos.
This course of action aligns with Article 8 of the 1976 agreement signed between the Republic of Chad and the French Republic, which stipulates that French military personnel involved in offenses must be promptly surrendered to the French embassy. This allows for legal proceedings to be conducted by the competent authorities in their home country, as highlighted by local media sources.
The questioning of the accused and his subsequent handover to the authorities signify a turning point in this case, which has caused significant tensions in Faya in recent days. Numerous street gatherings and protests have taken place, as reported by Tchad Infos.
According to media accounts, protesters attempted to breach the premises of the French military base, which housed approximately forty individuals. Law enforcement intervened to disperse the crowd and ultimately imposed a curfew in the city to restore order.
The incident unfolded tragically at the French Barkhane force’s stationed base in Faya-Largeau. The French nurse allegedly shot the Chadian soldier, who had sought treatment for an acute inflammation of a finger or foot, as reported by Maghreb Online. The altercation between the two men escalated, leading to the fatal shooting. The French soldier discharged his service weapon at close range, resulting in the untimely death of the victim, identified as 35-year-old Mahamat Dakou. It is worth noting that Dakou had recently celebrated his wedding on August 8, 2023, according to Tchad One.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the incident continues to draw attention and raises important questions regarding the circumstances surrounding the tragic loss of life. The outcome of the trial will be closely monitored by both the Chadian and French authorities, as well as the public, to ensure justice is served in this deeply regrettable incident.