Since Chad gained independence from France in 1960, six people have served as head of state, with two others acting as interim leaders.
Goukouni Oueddei served twice, but not consecutively. The current president is Mahamat Déby, who took power on April 20, 2021, after his father, Idriss Déby, died.
Mahamat initially led the Transitional Military Council until October 10, 2022, when he became Transitional President after a national dialogue. On May 6, 2024, Mahamat Déby won the presidential election and was officially declared president on May 23.
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List Of Chad Presidents From 160 Till Date
No | Name | Tenure | Political Party |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | François Tombalbaye | 11 August 1960 – 13 April 1975 | PPT (renamed to MNRCS) |
2 | Noël Milarew Odingar | 13 April 1975 – 15 April 1975 | Military |
3 | Félix Malloum | 15 April 1975 – 23 March 1979 | Military |
4 | Goukouni Oueddei | 23 March 1979 – 29 April 1979 | FROLINAT–FAP |
5 | Lol Mahamat Choua | 29 April 1979 – 3 September 1979 | MPLT |
6 | Goukouni Oueddei | 3 September 1979 – 7 June 1982 | FROLINAT–FAP |
7 | Hissène Habré | 7 June 1982 – 2 December 1990 | FAN / UNIR |
8 | Idriss Déby | 2 December 1990 – 20 April 2021 | Military / MPS |
9 | Mahamat Déby | Acting: 20 April 2021 – Present | Military / MPS |
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Who Was The First President Of Chad?
François Tombalbaye, also known as N’Garta Tombalbaye, was the first president of Chad, leading the country from its independence in 1960 until 1975.
He was born on June 15, 1918, in the village of Bessada, in southern Chad, which was under French colonial rule at the time. Tombalbaye came from the Sara ethnic group.
He attended school in Sarh and later studied in Brazzaville, where he completed his secondary education. Afterward, he worked as a teacher.
Tombalbaye entered politics in 1946 when he joined the Chadian Progressive Party, which sought more rights and self-rule for Chadians under the French system.
His involvement led to conflicts with colonial authorities, and he was banned from teaching. Despite these setbacks, he remained politically active and was elected to the colonial assembly in 1952.
By 1959, he had become the leader of his party, taking over from Gabriel Lisette. When Chad gained independence from France on August 11, 1960, Tombalbaye became the country’s first president.
At first, his leadership brought hope, but his rule became authoritarian. In 1962, he made his party the only legal political group, creating a one-party system that silenced opposition.
His government favored his ethnic group, which caused anger and division among the people, between the southern Christians and animists and the northern Muslim population.
Economic struggles and ethnic tensions made matters worse, and Tombalbaye used military force to crush dissent. His policy of “Chaditude,” which promoted African traditions, was meant to unify the nation but instead estranged many, particularly in the north.
By the 1970s, dissatisfaction with Tombalbaye’s leadership grew. On April 13, 1975, military officers staged a coup and surrounded his home. When he refused to surrender, they killed him.
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Who Is The Current President Of Chad?
Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno is the current President of Chad, officially taking office on May 24, 2024. He became president after a difficult period in Chad’s history, seen by military rule following the death of his father, Idriss Déby, in April 2021.
His father ruled Chad for over 30 years before he died in battle against rebels. Mahamat Idriss Déby was born in 1984 and inherited his father’s strong political and military influence.
After his father’s death, Mahamat assumed leadership of a military junta and was named transitional president on April 20, 2021. His main responsibility was to lead the country back to civilian rule.
The transition process in elections held on May 6, 2024, which Mahamat Déby won with about 61% of the vote. The election, however, was controversial, with reports of fraud and irregularities.
His main opponent, Succès Masra, who secured about 18.54% of the vote, challenged the results but later resigned as prime minister before Mahamat’s inauguration.
Mahamat Déby’s presidency faces many challenges. Over 40% of Chad’s population lives in poverty, and the country remains divided due to political and social unrest that grew during his father’s time in power.
In his first speech as president, Mahamat promised to focus on improving agriculture, education, healthcare, and access to clean water. However, many people doubt whether he can deliver real change due to Chad’s complex political system.
Internationally, Mahamat Déby has received support from countries like France and the United States, which see Chad as an important ally in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel region.
