Chad demands answers after senior official burns alive

Chad Official Burned Alive After Facebook Plea for Help: Family Demands Justice

A tragic and controversial incident in Chad has sparked national outrage following the death of a high-ranking government official, Fulbert Mouanodji, who was burned alive under mysterious circumstances. His family and many citizens reject the official ruling of suicide and are demanding a deeper investigation.

Disturbing Death Raises Alarm

On Friday, Fulbert Mouanodji, a former chief of staff to the Governor of Ennedi Est, made a chilling Facebook post stating, “I am in danger, friends.” Just a day later, his lifeless, charred body was discovered in Abéché, eastern Chad.

Graphic images of Mouanodji’s body—burned and unclothed—circulated rapidly on social media, triggering a wave of speculation, grief, and anger from the Chadian public.

Officials Say Suicide, Family Cries Foul

At a press briefing on Sunday, the Attorney General in Abéché claimed Mouanodji had committed suicide by setting himself on fire in front of witnesses. He added, “This is suicide. The court has opened an investigation, but some people are stirring up this case and spreading lies.”

However, the explanation has been strongly dismissed by Mouanodji’s family and many Chadians on social media, who believe he was murdered.

Facebook Message Sparks Speculation

Just before his death, Mouanodji had warned on Facebook that he was being followed and was in danger. This has fueled widespread suspicion and demands for answers. Screenshots allegedly showing a chat between Mouanodji and a friend were shared by local outlet Tchad One, in which Mouanodji claimed that agents from the Chadian secret service (ANS) had trailed him from N’Djamena to Amdjarass on a public bus.

His younger sister, Felicité Mouandandgodi, told RFI, “If he wanted to take his life, he would have done it in N’Djamena, with his family close. This wasn’t suicide.”

A Flee from Surveillance Ends in Death

According to reports by DW, Mouanodji had decided to leave N’Djamena after a conversation he had in a bar—regarding Chad’s political climate—was leaked. Following the leak, ANS agents allegedly visited his home while he was away, leading him to fear for his life.

His cousin, Nadjiam Dingam, confirmed these fears, saying, “Fulbert warned us. He said agents were on the bus with him. When we arrived in Abéché, he was dead. It was murder, plain and simple.”

Call for Further Investigation

The family has vowed to pursue justice and has announced plans to petition the public prosecutor’s office in N’Djamena to reopen the case and carry out a more thorough investigation into Mouanodji’s death.

As anger spreads and questions linger, the case has become a rallying point for citizens calling for transparency and accountability from Chad’s security agencies.

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