Breaking: Chad’s President, Idriss Deby Shot Dead On Frontline As Army Fends Off Rebels At Border

By Edna Wande Last updated Apr 20, 2021

President of Chad, Idriss Deby has been killed on the front line after a clash between the army and rebels at the border, an army spokesman said on Tuesday.

The 68-year-old’s death, comes days after he won a sixth term in office. Deby, who came to power in a rebellion in 1990, took 79.3% of the vote in the April 11 election, which was boycotted by top opposition leaders.

He was expected to give a victory speech to supporters, but his campaign director, Mahamat Zen Bada, said he had instead gone to visit Chadian soldiers on the front lines.

Former prime minister, Albert Pahimi Padacke received just 10.32 percent in the presidential vote, while turnout was 64.81 percent, Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) chairman, Kodi Mahamat Bam said on Monday.

The first female president candidate in Chad’s history, Lydie Beassemda, came third with 3.16 percent.

Unfortunately, Deby sustained the injuries while commanding his army in fighting against rebels in the north over the weekend, a spokesman announced on state television.

Deby “has just breathed his last defending the sovereign nation on the battlefield” over the weekend, army spokesman, General Azem Bermandoa Agouna said in a statement read out on state television.

The spokesman offered no further details.

The army had earlier said it had beaten back a column of the fighters, killing more than 300 insurgents and capturing 150 on Saturday in Kanem province, around 300 km from N’Djamena. Five government soldiers were killed and 36 were injured, he said.

More details to come.