EXPLAINER
Chad’s presidency attacked: Coup attempt, Boko Haram or ‘drunk’ fighters?
Assault on N’Djamena comes amid visit by China FM, withdrawal of French troops, and instability caused by armed groups.
![Chad's soldiers on the streets of its capital, N'Djamena, in 2021 [File: Djimet Wiche/ AFP]](/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/AFP__20210509__99L72J__v2__HighRes__ChadUnrestArmy-1-1736392605.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
![Chad's longtime President Idriss Deby died this week [File: Ludovic Marin /Pool via Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2021-04-17T203736Z_1338918742_RC2WXM97HRC9_RTRMADP_3_CHAD-ELECTION-1.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
![French President Emmanuel Macron (L) welcomes Chadian President Idriss Deby at the Elysee Palace in Paris on November 12, 2019 [File: Francois Mori/AP Photo]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/AP_19316494148594.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
![In 2008, rebels reached Ndjamena before being pushed back [File: Finbarr O'Reilly/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2008-06-17T120000Z_978215612_GM1E46H1PEV01_RTRMADP_3_CHAD.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
![Chad's late President Idriss Deby was a former military officer who came to power after a rebellion in 1990 [File: Claire Soares/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2021-04-20T111612Z_197703841_RC2NZM9I2Z7I_RTRMADP_3_CHAD-DEBY.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
![The 68-year-old succumbed to wounds suffered during a visit to the battlefield in the country’s north where government troops are battling rebels [File: Benoit Tessier/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2018-11-10T211043Z_841040685_RC121D75B540_RTRMADP_3_WW1-CENTURY-FRANCE-ORSAY.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
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N’Djamena ‘on edge’ as residents shocked by news of Deby’s death
Stunning announcement comes a day after longtime president was declared winner of presidential election.
![A Chadian army tank seen on Monday near the presidential palace in N'Djamena [Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2021-04-19T135413Z_254630260_RC21ZM9HSOHO_RTRMADP_3_CHAD-SECURITY-1.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
Deby’s death and Chad’s next day: This is what the army announced
Army says 18-month interim gov’t to be headed by Deby’s son as it imposes nationwide curfew and shutters borders.
![Mahamat Kaka, otherwise known as Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, was named interim president by a transitional council of military officers [Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2021-04-20T142045Z_1033731392_RC2QZM95TRSF_RTRMADP_3_CHAD-DEBY.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
Chad President Idriss Deby dies visiting front-line troops: Army
Recently re-elected president dies of wounds suffered on front line as country’s soldiers battle rebels, army says.
![The 68-year-old was one of the longest-serving leaders in Africa [File: Marco Longari/AFP]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/000_98D3W8.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
Chad’s Deby seeks sixth term as calls for change mount
Longtime president looking to extend three-decade rule as several opposition leaders urged supporters to boycott poll.
![Idriss Deby is one of the longest serving leaders in Africa [File: Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2021-04-08T070026Z_10188035_RC2JRM99IBVM_RTRMADP_3_CHAD-ELECTION-AFRICA-PRESIDENTS.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
Chad opposition leader says several relatives killed in home raid
Yaya Dillo tells reporters five of his family members were killed when security forces raided his home in N’Djamena.
![Dillo is a formal rebel leader who fought against Deby in 2006 before joining his government and becoming a minister [File: Thomas Coex/AFP]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/000_Par1610814.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
Ahead of Sahel summit, where do France and G5 countries stand?
France expected to announce Barkhane troop drawdown as Sahel leaders increasingly mull negotiations with armed groups.
![The last major Sahel summit was held a year ago in Pau, France [File: Guillaume Horcajuelo/Pool Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2020-01-13T202011Z_784466844_RC28FE9X02XA_RTRMADP_3_FRANCE-SAHEL.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
From: Inside Story
Taking on Africa’s armed groups
African leaders at a summit in Kenya say the continent must work together to combat the “scourge of terrorism”.
Published On 2 Sep 2014