Mahamat Déby

Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, born on April 4, 1984, in N'Djamena, is a prominent Chadian politician and military officer. He is recognized as the seventh president of Chad, having assumed this role in 2024 after serving in a transitional capacity since 2022. Prior to his presidency, Déby was the de facto head of state and president of the Transitional Military Council from 2021, following the death of his father, Idriss Déby, who had ruled the country for over three decades.

Déby's military career began with training in France, and he first engaged in combat in 2006. His notable contributions include serving as the second-in-command of the Chadian forces during the intervention in Northern Mali, where he played a crucial role in the Battle of Ifoghas. After his return to Chad, he was appointed director of the General Directorate of the Security Services of State Institutions, further solidifying his influence within the military and government.

In April 2021, following his father's assassination by rebel forces, Mahamat Déby quickly rose to power, promising a transition to civilian governance. However, his decision to extend his rule in October 2022 led to widespread protests and the banning of several opposition parties. Despite these challenges, he continued to navigate the political landscape, culminating in his candidacy for the presidential elections in May 2024.

Déby won the election with sixty-one percent of the vote, although the results were contested by his main opponent, Succès Masra. Following Masra's resignation as prime minister, Déby was officially sworn in as president on May twenty-third, thereby extending his family's long-standing rule over Chad, which began with his father's coup in 1990.