Chadian President Idriss Déby Itno addresses supporters at his election campaign rally in N'djamena on April 9, 2021. - Chad's citizens are set to go to the polls for the first round of the Presidential election on April 11, 2021. (Photo by Marco LONGARI / AFP) (Photo by MARCO LONGARI/AFP via Getty Images)

DR Congo, France eulogise the late President Deby

On Apr 21, 2021

Among those who eulogised Deby was Félix Tshisekedi, President of DR Congo and current President of the African Union.

President Tshisekedi said he was “appalled” and that the death is “a great loss for Chad and Africa as a whole”.

Deby’s former Foreign Minister Mousa Faki Mahamat is the current Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the secretariat of the continental bloc based in Addis Ababa. Mahamat also sent condolences to the family over the irreparable loss.

The French presidency said Deby was a “courageous friend” of France and a “great soldier” who worked tirelessly for the security of his country.

The statement from the Elysee Palace also emphasised the importance of “stability and territorial integrity” for Chad while urging that the post-Deby transition take place in “peaceful conditions”.

Following Deby’s death, the army suspended the government, the Constitution and Parliament. The army has also installed Mahamat Deby, the son of the slain leader, as the country’s President for 18 months.

Freshly re-elected for a sixth term, Deby succumbed to injuries while leading army operations in the face of a rebellion from Libya, as confirmed by the Chadian army.

The country will be ruled for 18 months by Mahamat Deby, the son of the late President.

Suzan O/ALLAFRICA