Chad’s main opposition parties say the army’s appointment of President Idriss Déby’s son as the nation’s new leader is an “institutional coup”. Déby, 68 – who had been in power for three decades – died after being shot as he battled rebels on the frontline. The rebels too have objected to the move, saying: “Chad is not a monarchy.” Gen Mahamat Idriss Deby will head a 15-member military council that will lead the former French colony for the next 18 months, army spokesperson Gen Azem Bermandoa Agouna said on state television. The announcement circumvents Chad’s constitution, which requires that elections are held within 90 days in the event that the president’s post becomes vacant. An umbrella group of trade unions has joined the opposition to reject the establishment of the Transitional Military Council, calling for dialogue and workers to stay at home until there is a resolution. People are still in shock here following President Déby’s death – even those that opposed him are stunned. The vast majority of the population is under 30 years of age and have never known any other president.

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