IDRISS DEBY

Idriss Déby was born on June 18, 1952, in the village of Berdoba in northern Chad. Coming from the Bidayat clan of the Zaghawa community, he began his education in Qur'anic school in Tiné before attending various schools, including the École Française in Fada and the Lycée Jacques Moudeina in Bongor. Déby later pursued a bachelor's degree in science. His military career started at the Officers' School in N'Djamena, after which he trained in France, earning a professional pilot certificate.

Returning to Chad in 1976, Déby initially supported President Félix Malloum during a period of instability but later aligned with Hissène Habré, a key warlord. When Habré became president in 1982, Déby was appointed commander-in-chief of the army, distinguishing himself in various military campaigns, particularly in the 1987 "Toyota War" against Libyan forces. However, a rift with Habré led Déby to flee to Sudan in 1989, where he formed the Patriotic Salvation Movement, an insurgent group supported by Libya and Sudan. This movement successfully ousted Habré in 1990, and Déby assumed the presidency in 1991.

Déby's presidency spanned three decades, marked by numerous challenges, including coup attempts, rebellions, and regional conflicts. He implemented political and economic reforms, including the legalization of political parties and the establishment of a pluralist democracy. In 1996, Chad adopted a new constitution, and Déby was elected president, with subsequent re-elections solidifying his rule. His administration oversaw significant projects like the Chad-Cameroon oil pipeline, although the distribution of oil profits remained contentious.

Throughout his presidency, Déby navigated complex relations with Sudan and played a strategic role in regional security, deploying Chadian troops to conflict zones like Darfur, Mali, and the fight against Boko Haram. He was re-elected in 2011 and initiated an anti-corruption campaign in 2012, though Chad continued to struggle with corruption. Déby also served as the chairman of the African Union in 2016, focusing on conflict resolution and advocating for environmental protection in the Lake Chad region.

In 2020, Déby was honored as "Marshal of Chad" by the National Assembly, recognizing his military achievements. The following year, he deployed troops to the Sahel region to combat al-Qaeda-linked groups. In April 2021, Déby won his sixth presidential term but tragically died on April 20, 2021, after being injured on the battlefield during a rebel incursion. Following his death, Chad's government was dissolved, and his son Mahamat Déby Itno led a Transitional Military Council.

Déby was married multiple times, with his 2005 marriage to Hinda Déby Itno gaining particular attention due to its political significance. Hinda, who held dual Chadian and French citizenship, was a prominent figure in Chad's government. Déby was also a father to many children and a practicing Muslim.

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idriss_D%C3%A9by