Chadian army names late president’s son as new leader

Mahamat Deby, son of the late President Idriss Deby of Chad, has been named the new leader of the country.

The 37-year-old army general was appointed to lead a military council set up after his father was killed by rebel forces.

The late Chadian president was confirmed dead on Tuesday following injuries sustained in a fight with the rebels over the weekend.

Shortly after his death, the army established a transitional military council with his son in charge.

A two-week national mourning period was declared amid a dusk-to-dawn curfew.

All the land and air borders in the country have also been shut “until further notice.”

The military council said the transitional period would last for 18 months while the cabinet and the parliament would be dissolved.

“The transitional military council ensures national independence, territorial integrity, unity, respect for international agreements and treaties, and also ensures a transition within 18 months,” the council said in a statement, published on the presidential website.

Like his father, Deby has also been involved in the fight against rebel forces and Boko Haram insurgents.

There has been a prolonged battle in the African country between government forces and the rebel Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT).

The unrest had escalated in recent days as anti-government fighters approached N’Djamena, the capital city.

Azim Agouna, the Chad army spokesperson, said the country’s forces “defeated a group of terrorists who had ventured into the north of the Kanem province.”