President Idris Deby Itno of Chad succumbed to injuries Tuesday 20th April 2021 after reportedly leading the country’s troops against rebels in a battlefield north of the country
Army spokesman General Bermandoa Agouna announced the demise of the president on Tuesday 20th April 2021 in a live television statement saying the 68 year old leader had led the army against insurgencies north of the country where rebels have been a thorn in the flesh for some time now.
News of President Idris Deby’s death comes not long after Chad’s national elections held on 11th April 2021 in which the long time leader had managed a sixth term, according to electoral results.
It is reported that the president had over the weekend been on the front line leading his troops against rebels, the aftermath being injuries that he sustained and later succumbed to.
According to the army, Chad will now be under the stewardship of a military council led by Deby’s son at least for the time being.
Born in 1952, President Idris Deby has been in power since 1990 under the Ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement after taking over from President Hissene Habre in a coup he led in December 1990.
He has successfully won in elections in 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 and had in the latest April 11th elections managed a sixth term.
By Nick Mulupi
