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Mahamat Déby

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Mahamat Déby
محمد ديبي
Déby at the United States–Africa Leaders Summit 2022
Déby in 2022
7th President of Chad
Incumbent
Assumed office
23 May 2024[a]
Prime MinisterAlbert Pahimi Padacké
Saleh Kebzabo
Succès Masra
Allamaye Halina
Vice PresidentVacant
Preceded byHimself
(as President of the TMC)
General Secretary of the Patriotic Salvation Movement
Incumbent
Assumed office
10 October 2022
LeaderHaroun Kabadi
PresidentHaroun Kabadi
Preceded byHaroun Kabadi
President of the Transitional Military Council
In office
20 April 2021 – 10 October 2022
Prime MinisterAlbert Pahimi Padacké
Vice PresidentDjimadoum Tiraina
Preceded byIdriss Déby
(as President)
Succeeded byHimself
(as Transitional President)
Personal details
Born (1984-04-04) 4 April 1984 (age 40)[1]
N'Djamena, Chad[2]
Political partyPatriotic Salvation Movement (2022–present)
Spouse(s)Three wives, including Dahabaya Oumar Souni
Children5
Parent(s)Idriss Déby
(Father)
NicknameKaka
Military service
Allegiance Chad
Branch/service Chadian Ground Forces
Rank Marshal
UnitThird Armoured Brigade
Fifth Air Brigade
Free Arab Volountiers
Battles/wars

Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno (Arabic: محمد إدريس ديبي إتنو; born 4 April 1984)[3] is a Chadian politician and military officer who has been the leader of Chad since 2021, first as President of the Transitional Military Council from 2021 to 2022, then as Transitional President from 2022 to 2024, and then as the 7th President since 2024 following his victory in the presidential elections.[4] He is widely known in Chad by his nickname Kaka.[5] He is also the General Secretary of the Patriotic Salvation Movement since 2022. He gained power on 20 April 2021, succeeding his father and predecessor, Idriss Déby, who died in action while commanding troops in the Northern Chad offensive. He previously served as the second in-command of the military for the Chadian Intervention in Northern Mali (FATIM).

Early and personal life

[edit]

Mahamat Déby was born in 1984, the son of Idriss Déby, who was then commander-in-chief of the Chadian Ground Forces, and a Gourane mother.[6]

Mahamat Déby is polygamous and has three wives.[7][8] His first wife is an ethnic Zaghawa woman.[7] In 2010, Déby married his second wife, a Central African woman and the daughter of Abakar Sabone—a former Central African Republic government minister, advisor to Michel Djotodia, and leader of the Movement of Central African Liberators for Justice rebel group.[7] It is believed that Déby and his second wife have five children.[7]

Mahamat Déby's third wife, Dahabaya Oumar Souni, is a journalist and media advisor who is considered the First Lady of Chad.[7][8] Souni worked closely with her late father-in-law, President Idriss Déby, and was promoted to director of public relations for the office of the presidency from December 2019 until his death.[7] In May 2021, Dahabaya Oumar Souni was appointed as media advisor to the presidency of the Transitional Military Council and now works alongside her husband, President Mahamat Déby, as a member of his group of technical advisors.[8][9][10]

Military career

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Mahamat Déby first enrolled at the Joint Grouping of military schools in Chad. He subsequently received training in France, at the military school of Aix-en-Provence. Upon his return he was enrolled in second promotion of semi direct of the school of officer inter arme and later was appointed to the service branch of the Security of State Institutions (DGSSIE), as a deputy commander of its infantry group. His first combat experience took place in April 2006 when rebels attacked the capital city of Chad and he later participated in combat in eastern Chad along with General Abu Bakr al Said, then director of police, Mahamat was given the rank of major afterward. In May 2009, he was made brigadier general and he shared command of Chadian forces during the Battle of Am Dam, where the army defeated the rebels.[11]

Following his victory, he was appointed in command of the armored squadrons and bodyguards of the SERS. In January 2013, he was appointed second in command of the Chadian special forces in Mali under general Oumar Bikimo. On 22 February, he led his army against rebels in the Adrar des Ifoghas mountains in northern Mali leading to the Battle of Ifoghas. They eliminated a rebel base said to be of "significant importance", inflicting heavy losses upon the rebels but also losing twenty-six men in the process, including Abdel Aziz Hassane Adam, a commander of special forces. Mahamat took full command of the FATIM and has since been leading operations against rebels in the North.[12]

Military ruler of Chad

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Mahamat Déby meeting David Gilmour in 2021 to discuss U.S. support for a transition of power to a democratically elected government

After Mahamat's father, Idriss Déby, died at the hands of FACT on 20 April 2021, the military announced that the elected government and National Assembly have been dissolved and that a Transitional Military Council led by Mahamat will lead the nation for 18 months.[13] A new charter replaced the Constitution of Chad, making Mahamat the interim President and head of the armed forces.[14]

Some political actors within Chad labeled the installing of the transitional military government a coup, as the constitutional provisions regarding the filling of a presidential vacancy were not followed.[15] Namely, according to the constitution, the President of the National Assembly, Haroun Kabadi, should have been named Acting President after president Idriss Déby's death, and an early election called within a period of no less than 45 and no more than 90 days from the time of the vacancy.[16] France, one of Chad's main foreign policy allies, defended the development as necessary, citing the "exceptional circumstances" caused by the rebellion.[17] The broader international community also supported Déby, seeing him as a stable foothold in the Sahel.[18][failed verification] Déby was welcomed to Washington, D.C., as a part of a summit for African leaders.[19] Despite this recognition, FACT rebels have issued an open threat to the new government, stating that "Chad is not a monarchy" and vowing to continue fighting until they reach N'Djamena and depose Mahamat Déby from power.[20]

National Dialogue

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After initially refusing to negotiate with insurgent groups, Déby softened his stance in August 2021, proposing a national dialogue. After his proposal was met with approval by rebel groups,[21] peace talks between government and rebel representatives started two months later. These peace talks culminated in the 8 August 2022 peace agreement, signed in Doha, which established a national dialogue between Déby's government and the opposition,[22] intended to prepare the country for elections scheduled for the second half of 2022.[23] The peace agreement, though, was rejected by FACT and other opposition groups, as well as by civil society groups, who cited the absence of a guaranteed return to civilian rule.[24] This lack of support for the peace agreement led to limited participation in the national dialogue.[25] Without major opposition and civilian participation in the national dialogue, it concluded to extend the transition and postpone elections until at least October 2024.[25][26] In March 2023, Déby pardoned 380 jailed FACT members, many of whom were among the 400+ sentenced to life in prison for the death of his father,[27] in an attempt to have the group join peace talks, following their non-participation in the national dialogue.[28]

October 2022 protests

[edit]

The Transitional Military Council's 3 October postponing of elections was met with significant pro-democracy demonstrations on 20 October, the initial date of elections. These demonstrations primarily took place in the cities of N'Djamena and Moundou, and were primarily orchestrated by the opposition group Wakit Tamma and Succès Masra, leader of the Les Transformateurs party.[29] In response to the demonstrations, government security forces violently cracked down on protesters and the government orchestrated a days long internet blackout.[25] The violence ended in the deaths of between 50 and 200, including journalist Orédjé Narcisse, and the arrests of at least 600.[25][30] Of those 600+, 342 ended up sentenced to between 1 and 3 years in prison for charges related to the protests. The day was later deemed "Black Thursday" for the violence.[30] Following the demonstrations, Déby blamed protesters and organizers for the violence, and justified the government response by claiming the protests were an organized insurrection.[31] Following the protests, various opposition political parties were suspended, among them Les Transformateurs and the Chadian Socialist Party.[32]

French support for presidency

[edit]

He has received significant support in the West, most notably from France, its former colonial power.[33] Emmanuel Macron attended the funeral of Idriss Déby, where he pledged his support for the junior Déby's government and for the stability of Chad, stability which France further supported through Operation Barkhane, which positioned a 5,000+ French force in the Sahel, with their headquarters in Chad.[34] Déby also visited Macron at the Élysée Palace in June 2021, where the two discussed the political transition in Chad.[35] Despite the 2021 termination of Operation Barkhane, France has not demonstrated any wavering in their support of Déby and continues to position troops in the region,[36][37] despite having moved the remaining core of their Sahel forces to Niger.[38]

Finance

[edit]

In July 2021, he counted on Qatar for reconciliation and economic operations in the nation of Chad.[39] Under his administration Chad's gross domestic product grew by 1.1% in 2021 and 2.4% in 2022.[40]

Boko Haram

[edit]

On 22 November 2022, an attack was launched by Boko Haram in the village of Ngouboua, killing at least 10 soldiers of the Chad National Army. Déby had previously stated that the organization had been attacking civilians with increased frequency, as they "no longer [had] the strength to hit bases".[41] Despite significant territorial losses, Boko Haram has adapted by shifting to asymmetric tactics such as ambushes and suicide bombings, continuing to target both military and civilian sites in the Lake Chad region.[42]

2022 Chad floods

[edit]
Main article: 2022 Chad floods

In 2022, normal rainfalls occurred across Central Africa and West Africa between July and August.[43] In mid-August, floods began in Chad, killing 22 people. An estimated 442,000 people were displaced[44] and a state of emergency was declared.[45]

2024 presidential election

[edit]

On 13 January 2024, Déby was announced as the nominee of the Patriotic Salvation Movement for the 2024 Chadian presidential election by party secretary Mahamat Zene Bada.[46] After the killing of his main opponent, Yaya Dillo Djérou, by government forces on 28 February,[47] three other candidates withdrew the following week in protest and fear of similar consequences.[48] The attack was condemned by the African Union, while French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian called for an impartial investigation into the incident.[49]

On 09 May, Déby was declared the winner of the 2024 election by the National Elections Management Agency (ANGE).[50][51] According to ANGE, Déby won 61.3% of the vote while his chief opponent, Prime Minister Succès Masra, won 18.53%. Just prior to the announcement, Masra claimed victory on Facebook, stating that he won a "resounding victory".[52] The results of the election were announced two weeks earlier than expected.[4]

Déby was sworn in as elected president on 23 May.[53] He appointed Allamaye Halina as prime minister following Masra's resignation on 22 May.[54]

In January 2024, a preliminary investigation was opened by the national financial prosecutor's office in France (PNF), for embezzlement of public funds and concealment “concerning the clothing expenses" of Déby in Paris.[55]

On 9 December 2024, the National Transitional Council elevated Déby to the rank of Marshal of Chad.[56]

See also

[edit]

Notes

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  1. ^ Transitional: 10 October 2022 – 23 May 2024

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "PORTRAIT". Présidence de la République du Tchad (in French). 20 April 2021. Archived from the original on 15 July 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  2. ^ "President's Biography: Chad Embassy in the United States". Archived from the original on 2 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Idriss Deby's son Kaka named interim head of state, says army spokesman". Reuters. 20 April 2021. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  4. ^ a b Armstrong, Kathryn; Njie, Paul. "Chad's military ruler wins presidential poll". BBC News. Archived from the original on 9 May 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  5. ^ Marchal, Roland (18 March 2023). "The Implications of the Current War for the Chad-Sudan Relationship" (PDF). Sudan Transparency and Policy Tracker. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Chad's new President Deby: Son inherits crisis as well as leadership | Reuters". Reuters.
  7. ^ a b c d e f "Tchad: voici qui est la nouvelle première dame du pays". CamerounWeb. 26 April 2021. Archived from the original on 3 August 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  8. ^ a b c "Tchad: voici Dahabay oumar Souni, la communicante et 3è épouse du président du CMT". CamerounWeb. 8 May 2021. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  9. ^ "Tchad: le président du CMT s'entoure d'une vingtaine de conseillers techniques". Journal du Tchad. 17 May 2021. Archived from the original on 20 June 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  10. ^ "Présidence de la République du Tchad: Le Secrétariat Général de la Présidence". Office of the President of Chad. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  11. ^ "Chad: Slain Deby's son Mahamat Deby Itno heads military council". P.M. News. 20 April 2021. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  12. ^ "Le général Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, 29 ans et fils d'Idriss Deby, commande la force tchadienne au Mali". bamada.net (in French). 16 February 2013. Archived from the original on 8 October 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  13. ^ "Chad's President Idriss Déby dies 'in clashes with rebels'". BBC News. 20 April 2021. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  14. ^ Mahamat Ramadane; Madjiasra Nako (21 April 2021). "Chad in turmoil after Deby death as rebels, opposition challenge military". Reuters. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  15. ^ "Chad president's death: Rivals condemn 'dynastic coup'". BBC News. 21 April 2021. Archived from the original on 24 April 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  16. ^ "Chad's Constitution of 2018" (PDF). constituteproject.org. Constitute Project. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 April 2021.
  17. ^ Irish, John; Salaün, Tangi (22 April 2021). "With eye on Islamist fight, France backs Chad military takeover". Reuters. Archived from the original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  18. ^ Gerald, Krieger (2022). "Challenges in Mali, the Importance of Legitimate Governance in Combatting Terrorism and Violent Extremism" (PDF). Journal of Strategic Security. 15 (3): 22–38. doi:10.5038/1944-0472.15.3.2009. JSTOR 48687538. S2CID 252262159. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  19. ^ Tahingam, Pierre (13 December 2022). "Sommet USA-Afrique : Mahamat Idriss Deby prend part aux travaux". Journal du Tchad (in French). Archived from the original on 4 May 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  20. ^ "Who are Chad's FACT rebels and what are their goals?". Al Jazeera. 21 April 2021. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  21. ^ "Chad Rebel Group FACT Says It's Willing to Join National Dialogue". VOA. Reuters. 28 August 2021. Archived from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  22. ^ Mills, Andrew (8 August 2022). "Chad signs peace pact with rebels, but main insurgents stay out". Reuters. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  23. ^ Kum, Peter; Chahed, Nadia (29 October 2021). "Tchad: la junte engage des discussions avec les groupes rebelles et les partis de l'opposition". AA (in French). Archived from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  24. ^ "Eight Priorities for the African Union in 2023". International Crisis Group. 14 February 2023. Archived from the original on 4 May 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  25. ^ a b c d "Chad's Transition: Easing Tensions Online". International Crisis Group. 13 December 2022. Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  26. ^ Ramadane, Mahamat (3 October 2022). "Junta set to stay in power after Chad delays elections by two years". Reuters. Archived from the original on 3 October 2022.
  27. ^ Tahingam, Pierre (22 March 2023). "Tchad : au moins 400 rebelles impliqués dans la mort d'Idriss Deby condamnés à vie". Journal du Tchad (in French). Archived from the original on 4 May 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  28. ^ Prentice, Alessandra (25 March 2023). "Chad pardons 380 rebels in apparent peace gesture". Reuters. Reuters. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  29. ^ "Tchad: violentes manifestations, une cinquantaine de morts". Le Point (in French). AFP. 20 October 2022. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  30. ^ a b Nodjimbadem, Katie (6 December 2022). "Chad's Coup Leader Stops Democracy in Its Tracks". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  31. ^ Takadji, Edouard (24 October 2022). "Chad leader blames protest organizers for civilian deaths". AP News. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  32. ^ Hold Your Fire! Podcast (28 October 2022). "After the Crackdowns, is Chad's Transition Unravelling?". International Crisis Group. Archived from the original on 4 May 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  33. ^ Marielle, Debos (25 January 2016). "COLONIAL VIOLENCE AND RESISTANCE IN CHAD (1900–1960)". SciencesPo Mass Violence and Resistance- Research Network. Sciences Po. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  34. ^ Pelz, Daniel (23 April 2021). "Why France is backing Chad's new leader, Mahamat Idriss Deby". DW.com. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  35. ^ "Mahamat Déby's first foreign trip to Paris". Diplomat Magazine. 6 July 2021. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  36. ^ "Macron announces the end of France's anti-Islamist Operation Barkhane in the Sahel". France 24. 10 June 2021. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  37. ^ Schofield, Hugh (9 November 2022). "France calls time on anti-jihadist Operation Barkhane in Sahel". BBC News. Archived from the original on 10 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  38. ^ Doukhan, David (28 November 2022). "The end of operation Barkhane". International Institute for Counterterrorism. Archived from the original on 4 May 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  39. ^ "CHAD/QATAR : Mahamat Déby expected in Doha to orchestrate (and finance) reconciliation – 22/07/2021". Africa Intelligence. 22 July 2021. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  40. ^ "Chad Economic Outlook". African Development Bank Group – Making a Difference. 29 March 2019. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  41. ^ "Chadian soldiers killed in attack by 'shadowy' Boko Haram". Al Jazeera. 23 November 2022. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  42. ^ "Violent Extremism in the Sahel". Global Conflict Tracker. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  43. ^ Ramadane, Mahamat (6 September 2022). "Thousands battle 'catastrophic' floods after Chad's heaviest rains in 30 years". Reuters. Archived from the original on 6 September 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  44. ^ "Unprecedented flooding in Chad hits more than 340,000 people". RFI. 28 August 2022. Archived from the original on 31 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  45. ^ "Chad declares state of emergency as floods affect one million". Al Jazeera. 20 October 2022. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  46. ^ "Opposition condemns designation of Chad's military ruler as presidential candidate". Voice of America. The Standard. 16 January 2024. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  47. ^ "Chadian opposition leader dies in gun exchange, state prosecutor says". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  48. ^ "Tchad : trois candidats se retirent de l'élection présidentielle". Africanews (in French). 4 March 2021. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  49. ^ Larcher, Laurent (11 March 2021). "Au Tchad, la campagne présidentielle se durcit". La Croix (in French). Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  50. ^ Takadji, Edouard; Ali, Mouta (9 May 2024). "Chad's military ruler declared winner of presidential election, while opposition disputes the result". AP News. Archived from the original on 9 May 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  51. ^ "Chad Election Results To Be Announced Ahead Of Schedule". Barron's. AFP. 9 May 2024. Archived from the original on 10 May 2024.
  52. ^ "Chad's interim leader Déby wins presidential vote, says election body". France 24. 9 May 2024. Archived from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  53. ^ Donati, Jessica (23 May 2024). "Chad swears in president after disputed election, ending years of military rule". Associated Press. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  54. ^ "Chad's Deby sworn in as president as Allamaye Halina named new PM". Al Jazeera. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  55. ^ "Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno visé par une enquête de la justice française". Jeune Afrique (in French). 2 July 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  56. ^ "Au Tchad, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno élevé à son tour au grade de maréchal". www.jeuneafrique.com (in French). 9 December 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
[edit]
Political offices
Preceded by President of Chad (Transitional until 2024)
2021–present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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