Chad: Idriss Déby Itno buried Friday in Amdjarass

President Idriss Déby Itno, who has been at the head of Chad for more than 30 years, died at the age of 68 on Monday night, just as his re-election for a sixth term was announced with 79.32% of the vote. The illustrious departed will be buried this Friday, April 23, 2021, in his village of Amdjarass, in the privacy of his family, after receiving military honors in the presence of foreign heads of state.

The Chadian President, Idriss Déby Itno, who died on Monday night as a result of injuries sustained in fighting by his army against rebels, will receive the last honours of the nation this Friday in N’Djamena, before his burial in his hometown of Amdjarass, at 3:45 pm. In the communiqué signed by the Director General of the Protocol of the Presidency, Allahmaye Halina, the arrival and reception of foreign delegations, heads of state and government of friendly countries is scheduled for Thursday, April 22, 2021.

The document mentions that the installation will take place at Hassan Djamouss airport, between 13:00 and 15:00. The vice-president of the transitional military council, General Djimadoum Tiraïna, will welcome the guests before the departure of the presidential motorcade to the guest hotel. « The official funeral of the Marshal of Chad, President of the Republic (…) Idriss Déby Itno, who died on 19 April, will take place on the Place de la Nation on Friday 23 April, in the presence of heads of state and government of friendly countries, » reads the press release from the presidency protocol.

« The national tribute ceremony will begin on Friday at 9am. It will be marked by military honours, a wreath laying, a funeral oration read by the vice-president of the Transitional Military Council (his son Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno alias Mahamat Kaka) and a laying of the attributes of the marshalate on the President’s remains, » the statement added.

Considered as an autocrat by some, Idriss Deby Itno was also seen as a bulwark against terrorism and instability in the Sahel. « It is with great emotion that I have just learned of the sudden death of President Idriss Deby Itno. I remember him as a great statesman and an eminent strategist. I present my sincere condolences to his family and to the Chadian people, » said the former President of Niger, Issoufou Mahamadou.