Chad

(Reuters) --- France's foreign minister on Thursday defended a military takeover in Chad despite objections from the opposition there, saying it was necessary for security amid "exceptional circumstances".

The son of Chad's slain leader Idriss Deby took over as president and armed forces commander on Wednesday and dissolved the government and parliament as rebel forces threatened to march on the capital.

(Reuters) --- Chad's President Idriss Deby, who ruled his country for more than 30 years and was an important Western ally in the fight against Islamist militants in Africa, has been killed on the frontline against rebels in the north.

Deby's son, Mahamat Kaka, was named interim president by a transitional council of military officers, spokesman Azem Bermendao Agouna said in a broadcast on state television.

18 Apr 2021; MEMO: Chad's President Idriss Deby has died while visiting troops on the frontline of a fight against northern rebels, Reuters reported an army spokesman saying today, the day after Deby was declared the winner of a presidential election.

Deby, 68, came to power in a rebellion in 1990 and was one of Africa's longest-ruling leaders.

NDJAMENA, April 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — As Chad waits for the results of Sunday’s presidential election, the African Union said the vote was peaceful amid calls for a boycott by the opposition.

Incumbent President Idriss Deby is expected to extend his 30-year rule in the seven-candidate race, facing no major rivals and a campaign in which demonstrations were banned or violently dispersed.

Despite an Africanews correspondent reporting polling stations were quiet in the capital N’djamena, the ruling party said voter turnout was high.

N'DJAMENA, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Chad kicked off its presidential election on Sunday with people in the central African country queuing up to cast their votes.

A total of seven candidates, including incumbent President Idriss Deby Itno, are vying for the presidency for the next six years. One of Deby's most important challengers is former Prime Minister Pahimi Padacket Albert.

During his final campaign rally held Friday in capital N'Djamena, Deby called on his supportors to vote and assured them he would win.

N’DJAMENA, Nov 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 22 people have been killed in southern Chad in the latest instance of deadly ethnic violence between nomadic herders and sedentary farmers, the communications minister said Friday.

A curfew was imposed in the Kabbia region where the fighting took place and 66 people were arrested following the incident on Monday and Tuesday, minister and government spokesman Cherif Mahamat Zene said.

The trigger for the violence was cattle theft, sparked by the animals trampling farmers’ fields, another official said.

N’DJAMENA, March 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The president of Chad says 92 soldiers have been killed in an attack by Boko Haram militants.

President Idriss Deby said the attack early on Monday was the deadliest yet in the five-year campaign by the militants.

He has been visiting the site in western Chad, close to the borders with Niger and Nigeria.

Dozens of Chadian troops have been killed since the Boko Haram insurgency spread across the border from Nigeria in 2015 and more than 1,000 people have been displaced by fighting.

N’DJAMENA, Dec 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Chadian minister, who served as the country’s premier from 2013-16 was arrested on Sunday over fraud allegations, a police spokesman said.

Kalzeube Pahimi Deubet was detained following a complaint from the state inspectorate general for fraud, the spokesman said.

Currently secretary-general of the presidency, his post involves coordinating government action. As well as the premiership, he has also held a number of ministerial positions.