Despite Chad's economic woes and its citizens' frustration with elite impunity, its civil society organisations have struggled to mobilise into a coherent protest movement.

Chad's civil society groups will face challenges relating both to the pandemic and to the country's longer-term stability, including a possible succession crisis.

Some organisations have already set up a new umbrella group - l'Action Citoyenne Contre le Covid-19 - to raise public awareness as well as pressure the government to respond effectively to the crisis and to minimise security force abuses linked to enforcing anti-coronavirus measures.

Unlike in neighbouring Sudan, where civilians have played a significant role in the country's transition, Chadian civil society groups are fragmented and rarely weigh collectively on national politics.

How Chad manages the COVID-19 risk will be an important factor in shaping how far civil society subsequently mobilises against the government.