Chad's Military Says President Killed in Battle with Rebels
2021-04-21
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1The African country of Chad announced Tuesday that its president of more than 30 years died visiting troops fighting a rebel group.
2Idriss Deby Itno came to power in 1990 when he led a rebellion against then-President Hissène Habré.
3Deby visited troops on Monday, the same day he was declared the winner of an election that would have kept him in power for a sixth term.
4The 68-year-old leader could have stayed in power until 2033 after a new constitution was passed in 2018.
5The Chadian military said the president joined the fight against rebels who had marched toward Chad's capital, N'Djamena.
6The rebel group is known as Front for Change and Concord in Chad.
7The conflict concerns many Western nations, including France and the United States.
8Details of his death could not be independently confirmed.
9Some Africa experts wonder if Deby's death was the result of a coup.
10They said if the country's leader dies in office, the remainder of his term should be completed by a member of the country's parliament.
11Instead, the military announced that Deby's 37-year-old son, Mahamat Kaka, is now acting as president.
12He will lead an 18-month transitional council.
13Chad is a French ally in Africa.
14France's president Emmanuel Macron released a statement on Tuesday calling Deby "a brave friend," and asked for a quick return to civilian leadership.
15There are about 5,000 French soldiers based in Chad.
16They are involved in security measures against Islamist militants including Boko Haram and others linked to the Islamic State terror group.
17Nathaniel Powell studies the history of France's military in Chad.
18He said the announcement of Mahamat as the country's new leader shows "continuity" and may serve to stop any military officers from thinking they can take over the country.
19He said it also shows France and the United States that Chad remains an ally.
20Powell noted there remains strong opposition to Deby's rule within the country's military and among Chadian people.
21Deby said he won 79 percent of the vote in the recent election.
22But many people in the opposing party chose not to vote.
23The Reuters news agency spoke with a diplomat in the area who was not identified.
24He said Deby "loved" visiting his troops while fighting was going on.
25But, he said, it is problematic that a member of Chad's parliament did not take over the country.
26"That in itself is a coup," he said.
27The military has ordered a nighttime curfew and parliament has been dismissed.
28The spokesman who announced Deby's death said "all measures have been taken to guarantee peace, security and the republican order."
29I'm Dan Friedell.
1\The African country of Chad announced Tuesday that its president of more than 30 years died visiting troops fighting a rebel group. 2Idriss Deby Itno came to power in 1990 when he led a rebellion against then-President Hissène Habré. 3Deby visited troops on Monday, the same day he was declared the winner of an election that would have kept him in power for a sixth term. The 68-year-old leader could have stayed in power until 2033 after a new constitution was passed in 2018. 4The Chadian military said the president joined the fight against rebels who had marched toward Chad's capital, N'Djamena. The rebel group is known as Front for Change and Concord in Chad. The conflict concerns many Western nations, including France and the United States. 5Details of his death could not be independently confirmed. Some Africa experts wonder if Deby's death was the result of a coup. 6They said if the country's leader dies in office, the remainder of his term should be completed by a member of the country's parliament. 7Instead, the military announced that Deby's 37-year-old son, Mahamat Kaka, is now acting as president. He will lead an 18-month transitional council. 8Chad is a French ally in Africa. France's president Emmanuel Macron released a statement on Tuesday calling Deby "a brave friend," and asked for a quick return to civilian leadership. There are about 5,000 French soldiers based in Chad. 9They are involved in security measures against Islamist militants including Boko Haram and others linked to the Islamic State terror group. 10Nathaniel Powell studies the history of France's military in Chad. 11He said the announcement of Mahamat as the country's new leader shows "continuity" and may serve to stop any military officers from thinking they can take over the country. He said it also shows France and the United States that Chad remains an ally. 12Powell noted there remains strong opposition to Deby's rule within the country's military and among Chadian people. Deby said he won 79 percent of the vote in the recent election. But many people in the opposing party chose not to vote. 13The Reuters news agency spoke with a diplomat in the area who was not identified. He said Deby "loved" visiting his troops while fighting was going on. But, he said, it is problematic that a member of Chad's parliament did not take over the country. 14"That in itself is a coup," he said. 15The military has ordered a nighttime curfew and parliament has been dismissed. The spokesman who announced Deby's death said "all measures have been taken to guarantee peace, security and the republican order." 16I'm Dan Friedell. 17Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on reporting by the Associated Press and Reuters. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor. 18Do you think Chad will have a peaceful transition of leadership? Tell us in the Comments Section and visit our Facebook page. 19___________________________________________ 20Words in This Story 21coup -n. a sudden attempt by a small group of people to take over the government usually through violence 22transition -n. a change from one state or condition to another 23council -n. a group of people who are chosen to make rules, laws, or decisions about something