The death of senior Chadian civil servant Fulbert Mouanodji, who was found burned alive in the eastern city of Abéché, has ignited widespread anger and demands for justice across Chad, as officials label it a suicide while the victim’s family and many citizens allege foul play.
Mouanodji, the former chief of staff to the Governor of Ennedi Est, was discovered on Saturday, his body severely burned and stripped. Just a day earlier, he had posted a chilling message on Facebook: “I am in danger, friends.” His remains were shared widely on social media, prompting shock and outrage.
At a press conference, the Attorney General of Abéché dismissed murder claims, asserting that Mouanodji had taken his own life in public and called speculation to the contrary “lies.” However, this explanation has been strongly rejected by Mouanodji’s relatives and many Chadians online, who are demanding a credible investigation.
Screenshots shared by local media outlet Tchad One suggest Mouanodji believed he was being followed by agents of Chad’s National Security Agency (ANS) as he traveled by bus from N’Djamena to Amdjarass. “Fulbert warned us that he was in danger,” his cousin Nadjiam Dingam said. “He told us ANS agents were following him. When he reached Abéché, he was dead. This was murder, plain and simple.”
His younger sister, Félicité Mouandandgodi, questioned the suicide claim: “If he wanted to take his life, why not do it at home with his family in N’Djamena?” She said he had fled the capital after a private conversation at a bar about Chad’s political situation was allegedly leaked, prompting visits by intelligence officers.
Chadian citizens have flooded social media with expressions of outrage. One user wrote: “This isn’t just a tragedy. It’s a chilling reflection of a country where speaking out can cost you your life.”
The family plans to formally request further investigation from the public prosecutor’s office in N’Djamena. The case is rapidly becoming a flashpoint in Chad, highlighting tensions over freedom of speech, government surveillance, and the perceived lack of accountability under President Mahamat Idriss Déby’s rule.