As of today, April 20, 2021, Africa has its newest, youngest Head of State. Mahamat ibn Déby Itno is the new Head of State of Chad, succeeding his father, former President Idriss Deby, who died a few hours ago - few hours after he was provisionally declared as president for the sixth time.
The army spokesman, General Azem Bermandoa Agouna, in a statement read on TV Chad, announced that, "The president of the republic, head of state, supreme head of the army, Idriss Déby Itno, has just breathed his last while defending the territorial integrity on the battlefield. It is with deep bitterness that we announce to the Chadian people the death this Tuesday, April 20, 2021 of the Marshal of Chad."
His death leaves his son, General-Major Mahamat ibn Déby Itno as the Chairman of the Transitional Military Council of Chad.
This also makes him the youngest president there is on the African continent now with Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia being the youngest before he took the reigns of power today.
But, who is the man Mahamat Déby?
Mahamat previously served as the second in command of the Armed Forces for the Chadian Intervention in Northern Mali (FATIM).
Mahamat first enrolled at the Joint Grouping of military schools in Chad. He subsequently received training in France, at the military school of Aix-en-Provence.
Upon his return, he was enrolled in the second promotion of semi-direct of the school of officer inter arme and later was appointed to the service branch for the Security of State Institutions (SERS), as a deputy commander of the Groupement of Infenterie.
His first combat experience took place in April 2006 when rebels attacked the capital city of Chad and later participated in combat in eastern Chad along with General Abu Bakr al Said, then director of gendarmery, Mahmud was given the rank of major afterward.
Mahamat led forces when he took part in the command of Chadian forces during the Battle of Am Dam, where his army defeated the rebels.
According to Wikipidea.org, following his victory, he was appointed in command of the armored squadrons and bodyguards of the SERS. In January 2013, he was appointed second in command of the Chadian special forces in Mali under general Oumar Bikimo.
On February, he led his army against rebels in the Adrar al-Ifoghas mountains in Northern Mali leading to the Battle of al-Ifoghas. They eliminated a rebel base said to be of "significant importance", inflicting heavy losses upon the rebels but also losing twenty-six men in the process, including Abdel Aziz Hassane Adam, a commander of special forces.
Mahmud took full command of the FATIM and has since been leading operations against rebels in the North.
Chairman of Military Council
After his father's death at the hands of FACT on 20 April 2021, the military said that the elected government and National Assembly have been dissolved and that the Transitional Military Council led by Mahamat will lead the nation for 18 months.
He is the son of the late Chadian President Idriss Déby. He previously served as the second in command of the military for the Chadian Intervention in Northern Mali (FATIM).
Chad's new 37-year-old Head of State, Mahamat Idriss Deby has become Africa's Youngest Head of State.
— oba_jèro???? (@oba_jero) April 20, 2021
He is the President of the Transitional Military Council of Chad.
He has succeeded his father, former President Idriss Deby as the President. pic.twitter.com/WStaRS318M
