Mahamat Déby: Chad's Military Leader

On April 20, 2021, Mahamat Déby assumed the presidency of Chad following the death of his father, Idriss Déby, who had been the President of Chad since 1990. Idriss Déby died from injuries sustained while commanding his army in fighting against rebel forces in the north of the country. Mahamat, at that time a four-star general, took over the leadership of the country under the title of "President of the Transitional Military Council." The Transitional Military Council, led by Mahamat Déby, announced it would oversee an 18-month transition to democratic elections. Mahamat Déby's rise to power was seen as a continuation of his father's rule and raised questions about the future of democracy in Chad. This transition was not without controversy as it was seen by some as a military coup, bypassing the constitutional provisions for succession. This moment is a critical one in Chad's recent history, potentially shaping the country's governance, its democratic processes, and its internal and regional stability. #Chad #MahamatDéby #TransitionalMilitaryCouncil #IdrissDéby #ChadianPolitics #AfricanLeadership