Brussels 20.04.2021 The Chadian army have confirmed that General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, a four-star general who is the son of slain president Idriss Deby Itno, will replace him at the head of a military council.

Mahamat Mahadi Ali, head of the Change and Concord in Chad group, said Deby went to visit the combat zone on Sunday,April 18, near to Nokou, close to Niger border, about 280 kilometres north of the capital N’Djamena, in the Kanem region, in western Chad.

As part of measures following Deby’s death the country’s constitution has been suspended and Chad will be ruled by a military council led by Deby’s son Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, for 18 months.

Deby’s son had served as an officer in the Chadian army and was until Tuesday, April 20, morning the head of the presidential guard.

Deby was seen as a strong ally of France and had earlier this year announced a deployment of Chadian troops to bolster the G5 Sahel force operating in Mali.

N’Djamena is also home to a French military base, which supports France’s Operation Barkhane, focused on fighting Islamist insurgents in Mali.