Slain Chad Leader's Son Takes Power

Chad faced an uncertain future Wednesday as the son of slain leader Idriss Deby Itno took power in what the opposition called a coup and Western allies that rely on the country's military might plead for stability.

Deby had ruled the impoverished desert state for three decades before the army announced his death on Tuesday from wounds suffered while leading troops in battle against rebels.

Deby's death was announced only a day after provisional results declared him the winner of an April 11 election giving him a sixth term in office.

Allies of the late leader moved swiftly to assure power remained in their hands, installing Deby's 37-year-old son Mahamat Idriss Deby as president and head of a transitional military council while dissolving parliament and the government.

The charter proclaims that Mahamat, who had been head of the powerful presidential guard, will "occupy the functions of the president" and also serve as head of the armed forces.

'Illegitimate decisions'

Beyond that, the threat remained from rebels who launched an incursion into northern Chad from Libya on the day of the April 11 election despite army claims they had been defeated.

"We categorically reject the transition," FACT spokesman Kingabe Ogouzeimi de Tapol said. "Our troops are en route towards N'Djamena."

But on Wednesday, banks, markets and most shops were open while the national flag flew at half-mast on public buildings.

For Western countries, particularly former colonial power France, the death of Deby meant the loss of their staunchest ally in the fight against jihadists in Africa's Sahel, where myriad Islamist extremist groups operate.

Deby had in the past gone to the frontlines to lead troops into battle himself, including during a 2020 raid against the Boko Haram extremist group.

The European Union and France, whose President Emmanuel Macron will attend Deby's funeral on Friday along with 10 other heads of state, have called for a peaceful transition limited in the timeframe.

"My visit is testament to our continued engagement in this region whose stability, security and development are priorities for the European Union," said Borrell, who will fly into Chad from Mauritania before heading to Mali.

The United States meanwhile urged a peaceful transition that abided by the constitution -- a demand that has already been ignored.

Only days ago the army had claimed a "great victory" against fighters from FACT, or the Front for Change and Concord in Chad.

"The potentially explosive consequences of president Deby's death cannot be underestimated -– both for the future of Chad and across the region," said Ida Sawyer of US-based Human Rights Watch.