Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, 37, the son of Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno, is seen during a military broadcast announcing the death of his father on state television Tuesday, April 20, 2021. (Tele Tchad via AP)
NIAMEY, Niger (AFP) Chad’s new leader, General Mahamat Idriss Deby, on Monday made his first visit to Niger, a fellow Sahel country fighting jihadist insurgents, since coming to power at the head of a military junta after the shock death of his father last month.
The junta took charge on April 20 after President Idriss Deby Itno, Chad’s 30-year leader, died fighting rebels.
After arriving in Niamey, the Niger capital, the 37-year-old general held talks with newly elected President Mohamed Bazoum, an aide to Bazoum said.
Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, 37, the son of Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno, is seen during a military broadcast announcing the death of his father on state television Tuesday, April 20, 2021. (Tele Tchad via AP)
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AFP) The African Union on Friday urged the restoration of civilian rule in Chad after veteran ruler Idriss Deby Itno’s son, a general, took charge following his father’s death fighting rebels.
The AU’s 15-member security body, the Peace and Security Council, voiced “grave concern” over the establishment of a military council headed by 37-year-old Mahamat Idriss Deby.
The elder Deby, who had ruled the vast semi-desert state with an iron fist for 30 years, died from wounds sustained in battle at the weekend.
Chadian Opposition Decries Deby s Son as Interim Leader – Courthouse News Service courthousenews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from courthousenews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Chad’s longtime leader has died of wounds suffered during a visit to frontline troops battling a little-known rebel group, the military said.
The announcement came just hours after President Idriss Deby Itno was declared the winner of an election that would have given him another six years in power.
The military quickly announced Mr Deby’s son as the central African nation’s interim leader, succeeding his 68-year-old father, who ruled for more than three decades.
Some observers immediately questioned the chain of events leading up to Tuesday’s stunning announcement on national radio and television.
Chad army spokesman General Azem Bermandoa Agouna announces the death of Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno on state television (Tele Tchad via AP)