DAKAR, Senegal (AP) The killing of President Idriss Deby Itno has left his son in charge of Chad, the first change of power in more than three decades for the central African nation that borders some of the world's most volatile countries. The military's decision to make Mahamat Idriss Deby the interim leader provoked an immediate outcry from both the Chadian political opposition and the rebel forces blamed for his father's assassination. Here is a look at the uncertainty in Chad and the potential threats for the region in the weeks to come:
Chad -
Chad s president of three decades died of wounds suffered during a visit to front-line troops battling a shadowy rebel group, the military announced Tuesday, just hours after he was declared the winner of an election that would have given him another six years in power. While the military quickly named President Idriss Deby Itno s son as the country s interim leader, the rebel group claiming responsibility for his death vowed to continue its fight for the capital - setting the stage for a potentially bloody battle for political control of the oil-producing central African nation. “
Chad is not a monarchy. There can be no dynastic devolution of power in our country,” the rebels said in a statement late Tuesday. “The forces of the Front for Change and Concord are heading toward N Djamena at this very moment. With confidence, but above all with courage and determination.”
EXPLAINER: The potential risks of political crisis in Chad mymotherlode.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mymotherlode.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Explained: The potential risks of political crisis in Chad
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Last Updated: Apr 27, 2021, 02:23 PM IST
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These latest rebels are from a group known as the Front for Change and Concord in Chad, which has been threatening to advance on the capital for more than a week now. Initially the rebels said they would wait to do so until after Deby s funeral on Friday, but there has been no sign of them now for several days.
Reuters
Members of the security forces patrol Chad s capital N Djamena following the battlefield death of President Idriss Deby in N Djamena, Chad April 26, 2021
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EXPLAINER: The potential risks of political crisis in Chad
by Krista Larson, The Associated Press
Posted Apr 27, 2021 4:40 am EDT
Last Updated Apr 27, 2021 at 4:44 am EDT
A Chadian man ride a motor bike on the street in N Djamena, Chad, Sunday, April 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
DAKAR, Senegal The killing of President Idriss Deby Itno has left his son in charge of Chad, the first change of power in more than three decades for the central African nation that borders some of the world’s most volatile countries.
The military’s decision to make Mahamat Idriss Deby the interim leader provoked an immediate outcry from both the Chadian political opposition and the rebel forces blamed for his father’s assassination.