Mahamat ibn Déby Itno is the new Head of State of Chad, and Africa’s youngest Head of State
N’DJAMENA, April 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Africa has its newest, youngest Head of State. Mahamat ibn Déby Itno is the new Head of State of Chad, succeeding his father, former President Idriss Deby, who died a few hours after he was provisionally declared as president for the sixth time.
The army spokesman, General Azem Bermandoa Agouna, in a statement read on TV Chad, announced that, “The president of the republic, head of state, supreme head of the army, Idriss Déby Itno, has just breathed his last while defending the territorial integrity on the battlefield. It is with deep bitterness that we announce to the Chadian people the death this Tuesday, April 20, 2021 of the Marshal of Chad.”
His death leaves his son, 37-year-old General-Major Mahamat ibn Déby Itno as the Chairman of the Transitional Military Council of Chad.
This also makes Mahamat the youngest president there is on the African continent now with Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia being the youngest before he took the reigns of power today.
Mahamat previously served as the second in command of the Armed Forces for the Chadian Intervention in Northern Mali (FATIM).
After his father’s death at the hands of FACT on April 20, the military said that the elected government and National Assembly have been dissolved and that the Transitional Military Council led by Mahamat will lead the nation for 18 months.
Meanwhile, authorities said a state funeral will be held on Friday. Heads of state and government of “friendly countries” will attend the ceremony in N’Djamena, before Deby is laid to rest in his home region in the country’s far east.
Political leaders expressed their condolences following the announcement of Deby’s death.
“France lost a brave friend,” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office said in a statement. “It expresses its strong attachment to Chad’s stability and territorial integrity,” it continued, adding it had taken note of the creation of the interim military body and urging a quick return to civilian rule and a peaceful transition.
For its part, the White House offered “sincere condolences” to Chadians.
“We condemn recent violence and loss of life in Chad,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “We support a peaceful transition of power in accordance with the Chadian constitution.” — NNN-AGENCIES
