The leaders of Chad’s two main opposition groups told AFP on Wednesday that they were in hiding over fears for their safety, following a violent crackdown on demonstrations last month. Succes Masra, head of the Transformers party, told AFP he was in “another country” because he was wanted by the “presidential guard”. Max Loalngar of Wakit Tamma said he was in “hiding somewhere within the country” to avoid arrest. The authorities say around 50 people died in clashes between security forces and anti-regime protesters last month — but the opposition says the actual toll was much higher. Police violently repressed the demonstrations in the capital N’Djamena and several other cities, which also left hundreds wounded. Authorities say the toll included a dozen members of the security forces, and accused the opposition of mounting an “insurrection”. After making hundreds of arrests, the government suspended all party political activity.