Chad’s President Deby Promoted to Marshal

CHAD’S leader, General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, was officially promoted to the rank of marshal during a ceremonial event at the presidential palace on Saturday. The title mirrors the one held by his late father, Idriss Deby Itno, who led the country for three decades before his death in 2021.

The promotion, overwhelmingly endorsed by Chad’s National Transition Council—largely controlled by the ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS)—recognised Deby for his ‘services rendered to the nation and numerous military victories,’ according to the council’s resolution.

The timing of the ceremony is significant, occurring just weeks before Chad’s December 29 parliamentary and local elections, the country’s first since 2011. The elections are being boycotted by the opposition, raising questions about their credibility.

A legacy of military titles

Deby follows in the footsteps of his father, who was also granted the marshal title in 2020 after a decisive military campaign against Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region. The elder Deby’s long tenure ended abruptly in 2021 when he was killed in a confrontation with rebel forces.

After his father’s death, Mahamat Idriss Deby seized power with military backing, positioning himself as Chad’s transitional leader. His rule was later legitimised through a controversial presidential election in May 2024, marred by allegations of manipulation.

Shifting diplomatic alliances

Deby’s leadership has also seen Chad take bold diplomatic stances, including last month’s announcement to terminate military cooperation with France. This move severs Chad’s role as a key ally in France’s military strategy across the Sahel, where Paris has struggled to maintain influence after coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger forced the withdrawal of French troops.

Chad’s strategic shift signals a recalibration of its foreign alliances as the country navigates domestic political unrest and international pressure.

The next steps for Mahamat Idriss Deby’s leadership, both domestically and diplomatically, remain uncertain as Chad heads into an election overshadowed by opposition boycotts and questions of legitimacy.