On April 20, 2021, military officers announced on Chadian national radio and television the death of Marshal Idriss Deby Itno, President of the Republic of Chad, officially killed "defending territorial integrity on the battlefield".   Idriss Déby Itno was once again facing an armed rebellion. 

In the same declaration, these officers announced the suspension of the institutions and the establishment of a Transitional Military Council headed by President Deby's son, Mahamat Idriss Déby, 37, Lieutenant General and Commander of the Presidential Guard.

Our partners in Chadian civil society, who advocate democracy, peace and reconciliation, denounce an institutional coup d'état led by a junta of officers and the suspension of the Constitution and national institutions (government, parliament).

Like our Chadian partners, our organizations are gravely concerned by the statements made by the French government, which has taken note of the military's seizure of power without demanding a return to constitutional order. In the name of its strategic interests alone, France seems to accept this seizure of power as an established fact.

Our organizations call on the French government to:

• Unambiguously condemn the ongoing seizure of power, and demand respect for human rights and civil liberties.
• Demand the immediate implementation of a civilian transition, in compliance with Chad's constitutional order.
• Call for dialogue between all parties involved (political parties, civil society and Chadian institutions).

We also call on the international community - France, the European Union, the African Union and the United Nations - to assume their responsibilities to encourage and support a democratic transition and an opening up of the political field at this pivotal moment in Chad's history.

Press contacts:

CCFD-Terre Solidaire: Laurine Gatefait
l.gatefait@ccfd-terresolidaire.org / +33 6 04 49 36 44

Tournons La Page: Laurent Duarte
laurent.duarte@tournonslapage.org / +33 6 38 83 13 31

Secours Catholique:
afrique.democratie@secours-catholique.org / +33 6 38 83 13 31

Survie: Emma Cailleau
emmacailleau@yahoo.fr