Idriss Deby, Newly Re-elected Chad President Has Died During Fight With Rebels
Sad news reaching us suggests that President Idriss Deby has been killed on the frontline while fighting rebels in the north of the Sahel Country.
The news of his demise was declared by the Chad’s army spokesperson, General Azem Bermandoa Agouna. Recall that the 68 year old man was declared President by electoral officials on April 11 presidential election giving him the opportunity to extend his tenure by 6 more years after a 30 year rule.
According to the provisional results gathered on Monday, Deby won the election by amassing 79.3 percent of the vote in the election, thereby winning his sixth term.
It was also gathered that President Deby visited Chadian soldiers fighting rebels after he postponed his victory speech to supporters. According to his campaign manager, the rebel group Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT) had attacked a border post on the day of election and then advanced hundreds of kilometers south. The spokesperson, Genera Azem said;
“Deby, 68 has just breathed his last defending the sovereign nation on the battlefield”
The army added that a military council headed by the Mahamat Idriss Deby, the President’s 37-year old son would take charge. But for the meantime, a curfew has been imposed and the borders of the country have been shut down amidst the president’s death.
The reason why the President visited the heated zone amidst the proceeding clashes with rebels who opposed his rule still remains tentative. Deby has been ruling since 1990 and he is one of the longest-serving leaders of Africa.
His son has been designated as the interim head of state.
