Chad's Deby sworn in as president after three years of military rule

chad's deby sworn in as president after three years of military rule

Chad's newly elected President and junta leader Mahamat Idriss Deby looks on during his inauguration ceremony in N'djamena, Chad May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Israel Matene

By Mahamat Ramadane

N'DJAMENA (Reuters) - Chad's newly elected President Mahamat Idriss Deby was sworn in to succeed his late father on Thursday, after three years as an interim leader under military rule in the central African country.

chad's deby sworn in as president after three years of military rule

Mali's Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga walks to attend the inauguration ceremony of Chad's newly elected president and junta leader Mahamat Idriss Deby, in N'djamena, Chad May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Israel Matene

Deby seized power after rebels killed his father, long-standing President Idriss Deby, as he was visiting troops fighting militias in the north of the country in 2021.

The older Deby had ruled Chad - which is rich in oil resources but one of the poorest countries in Africa - since a coup in the early 1990s.

Chad was the first of six junta-led states in West and Central Africa to hold elections following a string of coups over the past four years that further destabilised a volatile region.

chad's deby sworn in as president after three years of military rule

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu walks to attend the inauguration ceremony of Chad's newly elected President and junta leader Mahamat Idriss Deby, in N'djamena, Chad May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Israel Matene

Even so, Mahamat Idriss Deby's victory this month was controversial. He won a sweeping 61% of votes in the tense May 6 poll that two losing candidates, including runner-up Succes Masra, unsuccessfully challenged on allegations of fraud.

chad's deby sworn in as president after three years of military rule

President of the Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadera walks to attend the inauguration ceremony of Chad's newly elected president and junta leader Mahamat Idriss Deby, in N'djamena, Chad May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Israel Matene

Masra, who was Deby's prime minister, came second with 18.54% of votes. He resigned on Wednesday after results were confirmed last week.

Before the election, some opposition parties and civil society groups had called for a boycott, saying Deby and his allies and clan control the main institutions of power.

"To my brothers and sisters who did not choose me... I would like to say that I respect your choice, which contributes to the vitality of our democracy," Deby said after taking the oath of office. He promised that 70% of the government's budget would be spent on social welfare.

More than 40% of Chad's population live below the poverty line, and extreme poverty has increased in past years according to the World Bank.

The arrival of over half a million war refugees from neighbouring Sudan after civil war erupted there in April 2023 has added to the pressure on the Chad's resources.

Hundreds of people were gathered outside the Palace of Arts and Culture in the capital N'Djamena before the swearing-in ceremony began.

chad's deby sworn in as president after three years of military rule

Mali's Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga walks to attend the inauguration ceremony of Chad's newly elected president and junta leader Mahamat Idriss Deby, in N'djamena, Chad May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Israel Matene

Several African leaders attended the event, including the current African Union Chairperson, Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Cheikh AI- Ghazouani, Gabon's junta leader Brice Oligui Nguema, and the interim prime minister of Niger, which has been under military rule since a coup last year.

(Reporting by Mahamat Ramadane; Writing by Sofia Christensen; Editing by Frances Kerry)

OTHER NEWS

3 hrs ago

Building an all-Subway Series roster, rotation as Mets and Yankees prepare for two games at Citi Field

3 hrs ago

Edinburgh shelves Taiwan friendship deal over China sanctions fear

3 hrs ago

Fisker Is Bankrupt. Owners Are Angry And Scrambling For Answers

3 hrs ago

Why Nationals outfield slugger is Braves 'perfect deadline addition'

4 hrs ago

Donald Sutherland, Star of ‘MASH,' ‘Klute' and ‘Hunger Games,' Dies at 88

4 hrs ago

'House of the Dragon' Finally Confirmed the Existence of the Missing Targaryen Prince

4 hrs ago

Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk had a great postgame interview after winning Stanley Cup

4 hrs ago

MLB Rumors: Braves best trade match, Cardinals eyeing offense, Red Sox sleeper target

4 hrs ago

AL scout throws shade at Yankees for lack of depth behind stars

4 hrs ago

'The Daily Show': Michael Kosta Shoots Down 'Stupid Conspiracy Theory' Biden Will Debate With Performance Enhancing Drugs | Video

4 hrs ago

MLB Rumors: Luis Robert Jr. pivot, Dodgers big game hunting, Miller asking price

4 hrs ago

Orelvis Martinez’s suspension ends any chance of the Blue Jays buying at the trade deadline

4 hrs ago

Oklahoma State leads Big 12 Conference in wins during College Football Playoff era

4 hrs ago

49ers could sign ex-Cowboys superstar to bolster defense in free agency

4 hrs ago

Support Young Artists, Authors, & Biz In These Fun Events This Weekend

4 hrs ago

Ravens' Ronnie Stanley explains why he agreed to drastic contract restructure

4 hrs ago

‘Young Sherlock' Amazon Series Casts Joseph Fiennes, Natascha McElhone

4 hrs ago

First ‘Red One' Trailer Sees Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans Team To Rescue Kidnapped Santa Claus

4 hrs ago

Could Paul George try to force trade from Clippers?

4 hrs ago

Austrian Grand Prix: Daniel Ricciardo marking a personal F1 milestone this weekend

5 hrs ago

I moved to Florida from Colorado. Things are more expensive, but I'm going to the beach a lot and already feel at home.

5 hrs ago

Hooters Abruptly Closes Dozens Of 'Underperforming' Locations Amid High Inflation

5 hrs ago

Report: Weber State's Dillon Jones had predraft workout with Thunder

5 hrs ago

Nearly 300 Coffee Products Are Being Recalled Nationwide Over Concerns of Botulism Contamination — Here's What to Know

5 hrs ago

Texas Roadhouse Ready-To-Bake Rolls Are Finally Coming To Stores

5 hrs ago

Russia blocks 81 EU media outlets in retaliatory move

5 hrs ago

Ukraine urges 'strong' decision from NATO at Washington summit

5 hrs ago

Immigration in a Red Wall English county

5 hrs ago

Two cleared over Just Stop Oil rugby final protest

5 hrs ago

'Shocking' suicide books sold on Amazon despite warnings

5 hrs ago

Moldova takes difficult step on path to joining EU

5 hrs ago

Women in Film Sets 60 Members for 2024 WIF Fellowship Program With Industry Mentors

5 hrs ago

Aaron Judge discusses ignoring warnings about center field

5 hrs ago

Chappell Roan Reflects on 'Cuckoo' Rise to Stardom and Says Fellow Pop Stars Have Reached Out to 'Help'

6 hrs ago

“The Boys” boss knows a Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki reunion would 'break the internet': 'It's occurred to me'

6 hrs ago

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 851

6 hrs ago

7 Things You Should Never Do in Retirement

6 hrs ago

Gun violence is a public health crisis, US surgeon general declares

6 hrs ago

Debra Jo Rupp & Kurtwood Smith Talk ‘That '90s Show' Season 2, Netflix Comedy Brunch & More | THR News Video

6 hrs ago

Hallmark and Kansas City Chiefs Team Up for New Christmas Movie Starring Tyler Hynes and Hunter King