In depth

Chad: The end of an era

The sudden death of Idriss Déby Itno, the man who managed to outwit earlier attempts on his life, was a shock to many. But more worrying now is what role Chad will have in this new era. Déby was key in managing N’Djamena's participation in the regional fight against Islamist terrorists. Will his absence open up the region to greater instability?

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sudden death

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Chad: President Idriss Déby is killed in battle, after ruling for 30 years

According to a confirmation from the national army of Chad read on national television, the newly re-elected President Idriss Déby has died of wounds he received while commanding his army in battles against rebels in the north.

Chadian President Idriss Déby Itno during Operation Wrath of Bomo, late March 2020

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final act

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[Exclusive] Chad: The last hours of President Idriss Déby

The death of the Chadian president was announced on 20 April. We have reconstructed here the details of the Marshal's final battle.

Idriss Déby Itno at the presidential palace in N'Djamena

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End of an era

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Chad: The six lives of President Idriss Déby Itno

The death of the Chadian president was announced on Tuesday 20 April. Idriss Déby Itno had just been declared the winner of the election on 11 April, when he ran for a sixth term. From the desert expanses of the Ennedi, where he grew up, to those of the Libyan border, where he had forged an image of fearless warrior, he had weathered many storms. Until he met the rebel group known as FACT.

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longtime coming

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Chad: Mapping the rebellion that killed Idriss Déby

Killed while directing an offensive against the armed group FACT, which had entered Chad through southern Libya, the late president Idriss Déby had always known that his power was coveted by and under threat from rebel movements, many of which established rear bases in Libya or Sudan. Here we break down the groups since his rise to power.

U.S. says Chad rebels heading towards capital from north

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quick facts on FACT

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Chad: Six things to know about the rebel group FACT

The death of Chad’s President Idriss Déby Itno came as a surprise, given his resilience and cat-like ability to avoid near-death experiences in the past. But the group being blamed for his death is Front pour l’Alternance et la Concorde au Tchad (FACT). They are not a well-known rebel group, but they have been around. Here are some facts on FACT.

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In his father’s footsteps

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Chad: Who is Mahamat Idriss Déby, son of the late President Idriss Déby Itno?

As soon as the death of Chad's President Idriss Déby Itno’s was reported on 20 April, the Chadian army announced the formation of a transitional council, which will run the country for 18 months and be headed by Mahamat Idriss Déby, the son of Idriss.

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SPARTA SYNDROME

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Why Chad’s rebellion and Déby’s demise could tip the region into chaos

For once the funereal protestations of regional and international leaders at the violent death of a military leader are more than diplomatic posturing. That much will be clear in some desperate consultations around the funeral of Marshall Idris Déby Itno in N’Djamena on Friday.

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old guard

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Chad: Albert Padacké lost the election to Idriss Déby. Now he is PM to Déby’s son Mahamat

Albert Pahimi Padacké, who both ran as a presidential candidate against the late Idriss Déby Itno and served as his prime minister, has just recently been appointed prime minister of President Mahamat Idriss Déby’s transitional government by the NTC.

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Getting help to move forward

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Chad: Former President Déby’s successor will have to rely on IMF support

The Covid-19 pandemic and oil prices have weakened Chad’s economy, which has taken a major hit due to increased security spending. However, an IMF package worth $560m was promised to N'Djamena in January.

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insurgent insomnia

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Nigeria: Chad blowback will hurt fight against Boko Haram

More than a week after the death of President Idris Déby Itno, the rebels who killed the Chadian strongman are not relenting their fight as they continue to engage troops in the northern Kanem region, around 330km from Nigeria’s border communities. Experts are concerned about the growing political instability in Chad disrupting the Sahel security apparatus, with Nigeria among the hardest hit. But the Nigerian army tells The Africa Report not to worry, because it will 'fill the gap' left by the death of Déby in the regional security calculus.

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