Idriss Deby, who was on course for a sixth term as Chad’s president before he died from injuries sustained in battle, had carved out a reputation as the West’s stalwart ally in the Sahel – despite accusations of authoritarianism.
The 68-year-old son of a herder would have been one of the longest-serving leaders in the world, after provisional results showed him winning re-election this week.
But his shock death cut his 30-year political career short and will likely throw Chadian politics into disarray.
He died from injuries sustained while fighting rebels this weekend in the country’s restive north, the army said on Tuesday.
Chad s president Deby: A long-serving army ally in turbulent Sahel
Tuesday April 20 2021
In this file photo taken on February 06, 2008 Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno gives a press conference after a meeting with French Defence Minister Herve Morin (not in photo), in Ndjamena during an official visit to Chad. PHOTO/AFP
Summary
President Idriss Deby Itno s shocking death cut his 30-year political career short and will likely throw Chadian politics into disarray.
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Idriss Deby Itno, who was on course for a sixth term as Chad s president before he died from injuries sustained in battle, had carved out a reputation as the West s stalwart ally in the Sahel despite accusations of authoritarianism.
Chad’s turbulent presidential polls put democracy on the backburner
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Chadians went to the polls on 11 April for the sixth presidential election since a multiparty system was introduced in 1990. President
Idriss Déby Itno, who has been in power for 31 years, ran for a sixth term. The results are expected on 25 April, but current insecurity in the country may extend this deadline.
Chad leader Idriss Deby dies on battlefield after winning reelection
Idriss Deby took power in a coup decades ago and died fighting against rebels trying to oust him. Over 30 years, Deby has been a maverick figure in the Sahel region, with friends in the West but enemies close to home.
Chadian President Idriss Deby died on a battlefied on April 20, the military said
Idriss Deby, the son of a shepherd who went on to lead his country Chad and become one of Africa s longest serving heads of state, has died on a battlefield with anti-government rebels. He was 68.
The shock announcement came from the Chadian military, just a day after Deby was confirmed president-elect after securing nearly 80 percent of the April, 11 election. Meanwhile, Deby s son, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, has taken over as leader of a transitional military council, the military said.