General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, the son of Chad's slain leader Idriss Deby Itno is to take over as president in place of his father, according to a charter released by the presidency on April 21, 2021. (Photo by Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP)
Chad’s President Idriss Déby Itno has died in combat just a day after securing re-election, opening a period of uncertainty in a country that is a crucial strategic ally of the West in the region. His son, Mahamat Idriss Déby, was immediately named transitional leader as head of a military council and both the government and parliament were dissolved, but the army vowed “free and democratic” elections after an 18-month transitional period.
The army said late on Tuesday that Déby had died from injuries sustained as he led his troops against rebels, who launched an offensive against his regime from Libya last week.
Chad had claimed victory against the fighters, but soon after the announcement of Déby’s death, they vowed to pursue their offensive and march on the capital, N’Djamena.
The shocking news came just a day after the 68-year-old career military man was proclaimed the winner of a presidential election that gave him a sixth term in office.
The army also announced a curfew and border closures, and a state funeral is planned for Friday April 23.
Déby, also known as “marshal,” had ruled Chad with an an iron fist since taking power on the back of a coup in 1990, and often put members of his family and ethnic group in key government and military positions.
‘Essential ally’
He was nonetheless a crucial ally in the West’s anti-jihadist campaign in the Sahel region, particularly because of the relative strength of Chad’s military.
UN secretary general António Guterres said in a statement that Déby was a “key partner” and had made significant contributions to help “combat terrorism, violent extremism and organised crime in the Sahel”. The US and the EU offered condolences, urging a peaceful transition of power.
After the announcement of Déby’s death, presidential guard officers in civilian clothes and police dressed in black roamed N’Djamena — although the military presence was no more intensive than since the rebel offensive began on 11 April, the day of the election.
The army said Déby had been commanding his forces at the weekend as they battled rebel group Front for Change and Concord in Chad (Fact).
Déby “has just breathed his last breath defending the sovereign nation on the battlefield”, army spokesman General Azem Bermandoa Agouna said on state television. He first said Déby had died on Tuesday, but the presidency later gave the date as Monday.
A military council, led by the late president’s 37-year-old son and four-star general would replace him, the army said. Déby’s son oversaw his father’s security as head of the elite presidential guard.
He signed a decree on Tuesday setting out a military council with 15 generals, including himself and 14 others known to have been part of the late president’s circle of loyalists.
Some analysts expressed concern that Déby’s death could unleash a new round of violence.
On Monday, the army claimed a “great victory” against Fact, saying it had killed more than 300 rebels and captured 150 others, with the loss of five soldiers.
But Fact spokesperson Kingabé Ogouzeimi de Tapol told AFP that the rebels would continue the offensive after a short delay for Déby’s funeral. “We categorically reject the transition,” he said.
Déby, who had been among the world’s longest-serving leaders, had on previous occasions gone to the frontlines as government forces battled rebels.
Provisional results released on Monday showed him winning re-election with almost 80% of the vote.
His victory had never been in doubt, with a divided opposition, boycott calls and a campaign in which demonstrations were banned or dispersed.
Herder’s son
Déby was a herder’s son from the Zaghawa ethnic group, who took the classic path to power through the army. He had campaigned for the latest election on a promise of bringing peace and security to the troubled region, but his pledges were undermined by the rebel incursion.
The government sought on Monday to assure concerned residents that the offensive in the provinces of Tibesti and Kanem was over.
But much remains unclear about the rebel action, which had led several countries, including the US and Britain, to advise their nationals to leave.
One analyst said the country was “entering uncharted territory”.“A damaging succession crisis is to be feared, while government forces and rebels have been fighting each other in the north and centre of the country,” said Richard Moncrieff of the International Crisis Group think-tank. — AFP