Mr Deby, who came to power in 1990, died while leading his troops against rebels.
The President of Chad,Idriss Deby, has died, the country’s military has announced.
Mr Deby, who was reported Monday to have won a sixth term, died while on the frontline during a battle against rebels who were advancing on the country’s capital, Ndjamena, Al Jazeera reported Tuesday.
Mr Deby was 68 at the time of his passing.
He “has just breathed his last defending the sovereign nation on the battlefield” over the weekend, army spokesman General Azem Agouna said in a statement read out on state television.
He came to power in a rebellion in 1990 and was one of Africa’s longest-ruling leaders, surviving numerous coup attempts and rebellions.
He has ruled his country for more than 30 years and was an important Western ally in the fight against militants in Africa.
Mr Deby’s son, Mahamat Kaka, was named interim president by a transitional council of military officers, Mr Agouna said.
His death was announced the day after he was declared the winner of a presidential election that gave him a sixth term in office. Some of the opposition, which had long complained of his repressive rule, boycotted the vote.
The late president postponed his victory speech to supporters on Monday and instead went to visit Chadian soldiers on the frontlines, according to his campaign manager.
Source : Premium Times.
Copyright © 2020 Totorinews.com All rights reserved. The information contained in Totorinews.com may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without giving due credit to Totorinews.com as the source.
