Yaya Dillo Djérou

Yaya Dillo Djérou Bétchi (; 18 December 1974 – 28 February 2024) was a Chadian politician, and president of the opposition Socialist Party Without Borders in 2021 until his assassination in 2024. He was a cousin of President Mahamat Déby and a major opponent of Déby in the 2024 presidential elections. Shortly after the date of the 2024 elections was announced, Dillo was killed in a reported exchange of fire with government security forces after allegedly leading an attack on the National State Security Agency. a teenaged Dillo participated in an offensive that culminated in Idriss Déby ousting President Hissène Habré in a coup d'état in 1990.

After the coup, Dillo obtained a bachelor's degree in mathematics, then received a degree in electrical engineering and telecommunications from the University of Ottawa.

Dillo subsequently laid down arms to become a cabinet minister in Déby's government, serving as Minister of Mines and Energy from September 2008 to March 2009.

Later career From 2018 to 2020, Dillo was Ambassador of Chad to the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa. Dismissed after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, he spoke out against a "conflict of interest" between the Grand Cœur foundation, run by First Lady Hinda Déby Itno and the Chadian government. He was then sued by the foundation for defamation.

On 28 February 2021, security forces raided Dillo's home in N'Djamena, killing five of his relatives, including his mother and son. A government statement said the raid was an operation to arrest him. Two other people were also killed and five wounded in the ensuing fight. The next week, three candidates in the presidential election withdrew in protest and fear of similar consequences. The attacks were condemned by the African Union, and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian called on an impartial investigation into the incident.

On 6 August 2021, Dillo was named president of the Socialist Party without Borders, replacing founder Dinamou Daram, who was serving a jail sentence.

Death On 28 February 2024, a shooting outside the offices of the Chadian intelligence services in N'Djamena caused several deaths. The Chadian government blamed the Socialist Party Without Borders (PSF), headed by Dillo. Oumar Mahamat Kedelaye, Chad's national prosecutor, alleged that Dillo led a well-armed group of men in 11 vehicles during the shooting. This attack came after the arrest of Ahmed Torabi, a PSF member accused of trying to assassinate the president of the Supreme Court,

In response, military vehicles surrounded the PSF headquarters amid heavy gunfire. According to an internet watchdog Netblocks, connectivity was restricted. Dillo was killed after his party's office was besieged by the Chadian Army amid unrest over the elections. His party alleged he was "assassinated by the Republican Guard." Chadian communications minister Abderaman Koulamallah said, "[Dillo] didn't want to surrender and fired on law enforcement."