Tributes have continued to pour in for the late Chadian President, Idriss Deby who died while leading the country’s Army in a fierce fight against the rebel group.
Deby, who was in power for 30 years, was reelected for a sixth term on April 11.
Born in 1952, Deby joined the Chadian Army in the early 1970s during the height of the country’s civil war. He went to France in 1976 to receive additional training at a flight school and earned a pilot’s license.
He emerged as the leader of the Habre’s forces in 1978 when he threw his support behind Hissène Habré, the then prime minister who also doubled as the head of one of the rebel groups during the civil war.
Déby’s relationship with Habré soured, and in April 1989 Déby was accused of plotting to overthrow Habré’s government.
By late 1990, Habré had fled the country and Déby’s forces seized N’Djamena, the Chadian capital. Déby suspended the constitution and formed a new government, of which he was the head.
Deby was designated as interim President of the country in 1993 after a national conference was held.
In 1996 a new constitution was approved, and Déby was elected president in the first multiparty presidential elections held in Chad’s history.
He was reelected in 2001 amid allegations of widespread voting irregularities.
Below are notable photos of the former Chadian leader
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
