Chadian President Idriss Déby Itno died on Tuesday 20 April after suffering injuries during fighting with rebels in the north of the country last weekend. The 68-year-old leader has just been re-elected for his sixth term. Pending new elections, a military council led by his son is taking over power.

Idriss Déby, who has been in power for more than 30 years, was injured in fighting with rebels who threatened his power. His death was announced by the spokesman on the national Chadian channels.

"The president has just breathed his last while defending territorial integrity on the battlefield. It is with deep bitterness that we announce to the Chadian people the death this Tuesday, April 20, 2021 of the Marshal of Chad," said army spokesman General Azem Bermandoa Agouna, in a statement read on TV Chad.

"A military council has been set up, headed by his son, General Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno," he said, referring to the 37-year-old four-star general, commander of the presidential guard

A career military man, Idriss Déby seized power in 1990 in a coup. Promoted to the rank of field marshal in August 2020, he had just been re-elected at 68 years for a six-year term with 79.32% of the votes cast, according to provisional results announced Monday evening by the national electoral body.

The leader, who himself won power by force of arms, personally went to the front line. Despite the victorious communiqués of his army, reporting hundreds of rebels killed, it was in these circumstances that the president was injured. He did not survive his injuries.

Following this great loss, the army put in place a curfew and permanently closed the borders.

Chad is involved in the Barkane anti-jihadist operation with Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Niger and Mali.

Tianah.R

Photo credits: Presidency of Chad

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