At least 60 people have been killed in anti-government protests in Chad, a government spokesman said. According to the authorities, around 30 people died in the capital N’Djamena, where they were fired upon by security forces. The organizers of the protest speak of 40 dead.

Around 3 p.m. local time, demonstrators took to the streets in the capital with whistles. Police fired tear gas at the protesters, but their numbers continued to mount. Then fire was opened on them. The Prime Minister speaks of an armed uprising and claims that security forces shot at the demonstrators in self-defense.

Also dead and injured in Moundou

Demonstrations also took place in Moundou, the country’s second largest city. At least 30 people were killed there, an anonymous government official told the AP news agency. 60 people are said to have been injured. People also took to the streets in the cities of Doba and Sarh.

The demonstrators expressed their dissatisfaction with what they saw as the undemocratic situation. Chad was ruled by the military for eighteen months. Last week it was announced that military leader Mahamat Idriss Déby, who is actually already in power, would be appointed interim president of the country for a period of two years. The protesters want earlier elections.

Déby succeeded his father last April, who had ruled the country with an iron fist for some thirty years. There have been many riots and demonstrations since then, but today’s is the bloodiest yet.