Idris Deby’s long reign at the helm of Chad ended a day after winning his sixth term in office. Mr. Deby, 68, died on the battlefield in a fight against rebels after he took a patriotic lead against terrorists who returned from Libya.
He suffered severe wounds visiting a frontline campaign against rebels in Northern Chad as announced by the military on national television and radio on Tuesday. He was taken to Chad’s capital N’Djamena after he was wounded for medical assistance but unfortunately he did not make it.
Foreign observers are raising questions on his protective guard since Mr Deby survived quite a number of armed attacks and managed to stay in power until the latest attack by rebels calling themselves The Change and Concord in Chad. It is believed the rebels were armed and trained in their neighbouring country Libya before crossing into northern Chad.
In a broadcast on state television spokesperson Azem Bermendao said Mr Deby’s son, Mahamat Idris Deby Itno, will head an 18-month transitional council made up of military officers. The military has already imposed a 6pm curfew in the country.
The UK advised its citizens against travelling to Chad due to the political unrest, and is assisting in evacuating its nationals from Chad. Commercial airlines to the UK are still operating but they are bound to change on short notice due to COVID-19 restrictions.
General Azem Bermandoa Agouma said, “In the face of this worrying situation, the people of Chad must show their attachment to peace, stability and national cohesion.”
Western powers saw Mr. Deby as an ally in fighting against Islamic terrorist groups such as Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin, groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State in the Sahel region.
