The death of Fulbert Mouanodji, former chief of staff to the Governor of Ennedi Est, has sparked outrage and speculation across Chad after his burned and undressed body was discovered on Saturday in the eastern city of Abéché. The disturbing images of his remains, widely circulated on social media, have ignited a wave of public anger and calls for transparency.
At a press conference held the following day, the Attorney General of Abéché dismissed allegations of foul play, asserting that Mouanodji had taken his own life. “What happened was suicide. He burned himself in full view of people,” the Attorney General stated. He added that the investigation was still in its early stages and accused critics of spreading misinformation: “These people are stirring up this affair. They are lying.” However, this official narrative has been met with widespread skepticism. Mouanodji’s family and many Chadians online have firmly rejected the suicide claim, pointing to troubling details that suggest a more sinister cause.
Just one day before his death, Mouanodji posted a chilling message on his Facebook profile, warning that he was in danger. Screenshots shared by local media outlet Tchad One allegedly show a conversation between Mouanodji and a friend, in which he claims to be followed by agents of Chad’s National Security Agency (ANS) while traveling by bus from N'Djamena to Amdjarass. According to Deutsche Welle (DW), Mouanodji had fled N'Djamena after a conversation he had at a bar about Chad’s socio-political climate was leaked. He reportedly feared retaliation and believed he was being targeted by the secret service. In the leaked messages, he wrote that ANS agents had visited his home the day after the conversation—when he was not there.
Mouanodji’s family has strongly disputed the suicide explanation. His younger sister, Felicity Mouandandgodi, told Radio France Internationale (RFI), “If he had wanted to commit suicide, he would have done it in N'Djamena, with his family.” The family believes he was assassinated during his journey to Abéché. His cousin, Nadjiam Dingam, echoed this sentiment: “Fulbert warned us that he was in danger. He left messages stating that he was being followed by Secret Service agents and that he was on the same bus as them. When we arrived in Abéché, it turned out that Gilbert was dead. It was murder, short and simple.”
In response to the growing public outcry, Mouanodji’s family has announced plans to petition the N'Djamena public prosecutor’s office for a full and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. Many Chadians are demanding accountability and transparency, fearing that the case may be buried without proper scrutiny. As the investigation unfolds, the nation watches closely, grappling with questions about political repression, freedom of speech, and the safety of government critics in Chad.