General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, Chad’s leader, was officially elevated to the rank of marshal during a grand ceremony on Saturday.
The event, held at the presidential palace, was organized after the National Transition Council overwhelmingly approved the decision.
The council, largely composed of members from the ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), highlighted his significant contributions to Chad’s military achievements.
The resolution commended Deby for his “services rendered to the nation and numerous military victories” both domestically and internationally.
The promotion comes as Chad prepares for legislative and local elections scheduled for December 29, the first parliamentary polls since 2011.
These elections, however, face criticism as the opposition has decided to boycott them. The polls are a critical moment for Chad’s political future under Deby’s leadership.
This promotion aligns Deby with his late father, Idriss Deby Itno, who was also named marshal in 2020 following a successful campaign against Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region.
The elder Deby ruled Chad for three decades until his death in 2021 at the hands of rebels.
Mahamat Deby assumed power immediately after his father’s death, with strong backing from a military junta. His authority was later solidified in a disputed presidential election in May 2024.
Chad recently announced the end of its military cooperation with France, marking a significant shift in its international alliances.
This decision further underscores the nation’s distancing from its former colonial power amid a wave of military coups in neighboring Sahel nations.
As Chad’s political landscape evolves, the promotion of Deby to marshal symbolizes both continuity and a defining moment in the country’s history.
