(3 minutes read)
· General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, 37, has been named president upon the death of his father Idriss Déby Itno
· Chad’s main opposition parties denounced the developments, calling them as an institutional coup
· Thirty political parties of the democratic opposition called for the establishment of a transition led by civilians through an inclusive dialogue
General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, 37, has been named president upon the death of his father Idriss Déby Itno, who was killed in an ambush while visiting some frontline areas where rebels were active. The youthful general Mahamat Idriss Deby, was the head of the presidential guard under his father’s regime.
Idriss Deby Itno, ruled the Sahel country for three decades. Upon his death his 37 year-old son has quickly emerged as the new strongman and immediately took charge of a transitional military council. He appointed 14 of the most trusted generals to run Chad until free and democratic elections were promised in 18 months’ time. He will also serve as the head of the armed forces, according to a charter released by the presidency.
Chad’s main opposition parties denounced the developments, calling them an institutional coup. Thirty political parties of the
democratic opposition called for the establishment of a transition led by civilians through an inclusive dialogue. The opposition called on the Chadian population not to obey the illegal, illegitimate and irregular decisions taken by the ruling party. The opposition parties warned France a former colonial power not to interfere in the internal affairs of Chad. The deceased president had the support of France since his accession to power in 1990 as the head of a rebellion. They also called on the international community “to accompany the Chadian people in the restoration of the rule of law and democracy”.
A career soldier just like his father, General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno is from the Zaghawa ethnic group, which boasts numerous top officers in an army seen as one of the finest in the troubled Sahel region
