Ramaphosa mourns Chad’s President Idriss Déby

Ramaphosa said the South African government was concerned about the armed conflict in Chad.

PRETORIA, April 21 (ANA) – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent condolences to the government and people of Chad following the death of its long time leader Idriss Déby from wounds sustained while commanding his army in battle against rebels in the country’s north.

The shock announcement of Déby’s death by the military on Tuesday came just a day after an announcement in the capital N’Djamena that the strongman had provisionally won April 11 presidential elections, paving way for his sixth term in office. He would have extended three decades of rule over the African country.

“President Cyril Ramaphosa has received with sadness the disturbing news of the death of His Excellency Marshal Idriss Déby Itno, President of the Republic of Chad,” South Africa’s Presidency said in a statement.

“President Ramaphosa has, on behalf of the government and people of South Africa, extended his deepest condolences to the fallen President’s family as well as the government and people of Chad.”

Furthermore, Ramaphosa said the South African government was concerned about developments in Chad, namely the activities of armed groups.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the violence that has claimed so many lives, including that of President Déby. We call for calm and a cessation of fighting,” he said.

An immediate cessation of violence was necessary to bring peace and stability to Chad as part of ending conflict on the continent, Ramaphosa added.

The BBC reported that a state funeral for Deby was due to take place on Friday.

A military council led by his son, a 37-year-old four star general, will govern for the next 18 months, the army said in a statement.

Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno will lead the council, but “free and democratic” elections will be held once the transition period is over, it said.

– African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Stella Mapenzauswa