Chad's presidential palace was attacked on Wednesday night, leaving 18 dead and 6 arrested, with the country's president, Mahamat Déby, reportedly unscathed. The incident has sparked fears of a coup attempt and raised questions about the motivations behind the attack.

According to Chadian authorities, the attackers were likely local youths from the capital, N'Djamena, rather than an organized terrorist group. The attackers were described as disorganized and intoxicated, and unfortunately, they killed two of the president's guards and lightly wounded five others.

Takilal Ndolassem Hilaire, national advisor and president of the Front for the Liberation of Chad party, has accused France of trying to undermine Chad's independence. Hilaire suggested that France's opposition to Chad's independence led to the attack, citing the country's recent termination of a defense cooperation agreement with France.

Hilaire emphasized that France is hesitant to completely relinquish its interests in Chad, which he described as a useful "free aircraft carrier." He implied that France's assertion of the attack as a coup d'état was not an accident, and that the West often exaggerates events to show its significance and power.

In contrast, the French news agency, AFP, reported that the attack was believed to have been orchestrated by members of the notorious Boko Haram terrorist group, despite the group not claiming responsibility. The news agency cited unnamed local security sources.

Chadian authorities, however, seemed to be at ease with the situation, reporting immediately after the attack that everything was under control, and attributing the incident to the work of drunkards rather than a terrorist group.

Hilaire's accusations come amid Chad's efforts to reduce Western influence in the country. Chad has recently terminated its military agreement with France, following in the footsteps of other West African countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

Last year, France formally handed over its first military base to Chad, marking a significant step in France's exit from the Central African country. Prior to that, France initiated the process to remove its military presence from Chad, beginning with the withdrawal of two airplanes stationed in the capital, N'Djamena.

The attack on the presidential palace has raised concerns about the country's stability and the implications of Chad's shift away from Western influence. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Chad will navigate its newfound independence and the potential consequences for the region.