NOEL ODINGAR

Noël Odingar, born on May 5, 1932, was a prominent figure in Chadian military and political history. A graduate of the French military academy, Odingar quickly ascended the ranks, demonstrating both skill and ambition. By 1965, holding the rank of Major, he was appointed as the commander of the Chadian Armed Forces (FAT), a position that further entrenched the Sara people's influence within the government.

The late 1960s were a turbulent time for Chad. In 1966, the rebel group FROLINAT emerged, challenging the government's control, particularly in the predominantly Muslim regions of the country. As the military situation deteriorated, President François Tombalbaye sought assistance from France to quell the insurgency. Odingar, along with Minister Bangui, voiced opposition to this move, arguing that it would compromise Chad's sovereignty. Despite their objections, French troops were deployed.

Odingar's military career continued to advance, and by early 1975, he had attained the rank of general and was the acting commander of FAT’s 4,000 troops. However, discontent was brewing within the military. Tombalbaye’s increasingly erratic actions, including the imprisonment of FAT's commander-general, Félix Malloum, had sowed deep unrest. The situation reached a boiling point in April 1975 when another purge led to the arrest of key military leaders.

On April 13, 1975, the simmering tensions culminated in a coup. Units of the gendarmerie launched an attack on the Presidential Palace, engaging in fierce combat with the President's guard. Odingar, arriving with reinforcements, assumed command of the operation. By 8:30 am, the fighting had ceased, with reports indicating that Tombalbaye succumbed to wounds sustained during the battle. The coup was effectively over, and by 6:30 am, Odingar had already announced over the radio that the armed forces had taken decisive action for the sake of the nation, a move met with widespread public celebration in the capital.

In the aftermath, Odingar and the military justified their actions, accusing Tombalbaye of dividing the country along tribal lines and undermining the military. As interim commander and de facto head of state, Odingar imposed a curfew and sealed off the roads to the capital. The coupists wasted no time in freeing Félix Malloum and other imprisoned officers. Just two days later, on April 15, 1975, a Supreme Military Council (Conseil Superieur Militaire or CSM) was established, and Malloum was appointed as its President, peacefully succeeding Odingar as head of state.

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No%C3%ABl_Milarew_Odingar