Chad’s main opposition parties have described the army’s appointment of President Idriss Déby’s son as the nation’s new leader is an “institutional coup”.
Déby, (68) who had been in power for three decades, died after being shot as he battled rebels on the frontline. His death was announced on state TV on Tuesday, a day after provisional election results projected he would win a sixth term in office at the helm of the oil-rich country that has been at the forefront of regional efforts to fight Islamist militants.
An umbrella group of trade unions has also joined the opposition to reject the establishment of the Transitional Military Council, calling for dialogue and workers to stay at home until there is a resolution.
In a statement released immediately after Gen Mahamat Kaka was named Deby’s successor, the rebels Front for Change and Concorde (FACT) too expressed objection against the move, saying: “Chad is not a monarchy.”
The army said Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno (37), also known as “General Kaka”, who was in charge of the presidential guard, is to lead the country for 18 months until elections.
The government and parliament have been dissolved, but constitutional experts say the speaker of parliament should have taken over before organizing elections.
There are fears that the president’s death could trigger political instability in the vast semi-arid country with a long history of rebellions and coup attempts and where the opposition is weak and divided.
Latest reports indicated that the capital N’Djamena is on full alert – with lots of tanks and other armored vehicles along the perimeter of the presidential palace and parked at key junctions. Other shops and markets in the Chadian capital are open – though not as busy as usual – and people aren’t sending their children to school.
BBC reported that people are still in shock following President Déby’s death and even those that opposed him are stunned. The vast majority of the population is under 30 years of age and have never known any other president.
In between programmes, state TV is broadcasting religious mourning chants. Even though some might feel that it is good that Déby’s grip on power is no more, there is a sense of sadness that he has gone in this way.
“I am not pleased with the way Idris Déby died, that’s not what we wished for him, but we wanted him to leave power. He made us suffer a lot, there’s no women’s rights in Chad. Until today he did nothing for us,” one woman was quoted by BBC.
Another man agreed: “No-one wishes for someone’s death in life, it is a shock, but we needed change. By change we didn’t mean his son or any military.”
The rebels too are adhering to traditional mourning customs, saying they have halted their advance south until after Déby’s burial on Friday.
African Union tightlipped on the matter
In a statement released on Tuesday, the African Union (AU) did not mention anything related to the transition in Chad.
The continental body described Deby as an ardent supporter of the Union’s efforts to create an environment of security and stability, especially within the Sahel region.
The African Union only expressed solidarity with the Government and People of the Republic of Chad and joined mourning the loss of “a champion of Africa’s endeavors” to provide a peaceful, secure and stable continent.
Who is Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno?
He is a 37-year-old four-star general who has played a leading role in the army since 2013 when he was appointed deputy head of Chadian forces taking part in anti-terror operations in Mali.
Déby was an army officer by training and a former head of the military who came to power in 1990 through an armed uprising – and faced numerous challenges and many coup plots in the years that followed.
He is also known as “General Kaka” – a reference to his upbringing as he was raised by President Déby’s mother and “kaka” means grandmother in Chadian Arabic.
The late president, who was a Muslim, had a large family, having married several times, and had an unknown number of children.
Reports indicate that Gen Kaka, who has been appointed president and head of the armed forces, has a reputation for discretion and shunning the limelight, unlike some of his half-brothers.
Although not a known personality, he is said to be greatly respected by the army’s rank and file.
It is also reported that he was at the frontline in northern Chad when his father was fatally shot.
Why was the president at the frontline?
Observers say it is no surprise to hear he died on the front as he would often take charge during military confrontations – including at a major battle on Lake Chad against Boko Haram militants last year.
The latest rebel incursion began on election day when Fact (the Front for Change and Concord in Chad) mounted a border attack from Libya.
The group grew out of Chadian rebels once based in Sudan’s Darfur region who have mounted various attempts to overthrow Déby, from the Zaghawa ethnic group.
Power struggles in Chad tend to be along ethnic lines and the rebels are known to be dominated by the Gorane community of Déby’s predecessor, Hissène Habré – so they are likely to have some backing from his supporters.
In the last few years the fighters have built up their base in Libya in the Tibesti mountains, which straddle northern Chad and part of southern Libya.