Idriss Deby’s son succeeds him as Chad’s only five-star army general

Former Chadian leader Idriss Deby Itno was the only five-star general the country had till his death in April 2021.

He died on the frontlines when he joined a campaign to halt the advance of rebels who were threatening to depose him.

Eight months after his death, Chad has a new five-star army general in the person of Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno.

He was conferred with the title of general a week ago, moving a step from lieutenant general rank (four-star) he held as at the time of his father’s death.

Mahamat is currently leading a transitional government that was formed by the military following the death of his father.

The presidency’s head of protocol sent a press release on Thursday (December 2) informing state institutions and the public of the changes, a BBC report stated.

The day before, Mahamat appeared for the first time in a uniform bearing his new rank and a command car with matching credentials.