Idriss Deby's son named Chad president after his father was killed

In the aftermath of the death of President Idriss Deby Itno, who ruled Chad for three decades, his 37-year-old son has taken over as president, according to a charter released 

Wednesday by the presidency.

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The charter states that Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno has been named transitional leader as head of a military council following his father’s death and will "occupy the functions of the president of the republic" and also serve as head of the armed forces.

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Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno immediately took charge of a transitional military council and appointed 14 of the most trusted generals to a junta to run Chad until "free and democratic" elections in 18-months time.

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Commander in chief of the all-powerful red-bereted presidential guard or DGSSIE security service for state institutions, he carries the nickname Mahamat "Kaka" or grandmother in Chadian Arabic, after his father's mother who raised him.

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Mahamat is a career soldier, just like his father.

 

"He has always been at his father's side. He also led the DGSSIE. The army has gone for continuity in the system," Kelma Manatouma, a Chadian political science researcher at Paris-Nanterre university, told AFP.