In Chad, General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno awards himself an additional star

General Mahamat Idriss Déby, President of the Transitional Military Council and son of the late President Idriss Déby Itno during his father's funeral, April 23, 2021. AFP - CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

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In Chad, a presidential statement announced Thursday, December 2 that the head of the junta, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, who has governed Chad since his father's death last April, is moving from the rank of lieutenant general to the rank of army general.

It will now display 5 stars instead of 4. A promotion decided by the head of the junta himself who rises to the top of the military hierarchy. 

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With our correspondent in Ndjamena,

The fact was known since Wednesday on the occasion of the celebration of December 1, date of seizure of power by his father 32 years ago.

Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno arrived at Place de la Nation, opposite the presidential palace, in a five-star command car.

The number of stars on his uniform and beret had also changed.  

A distinction that made people react.

Before the president of the transitional military council, only his father had reached the rank of army general. 

But according to one of his relatives, he needed this extra star to stand out from other general officers who have the same stars as him.

There are six of the fifteen members of the transitional military council. 

Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno is not a lounge officer, he has proven himself in Mali and in several areas here in the country, add the support of the youngest army general in the history of the Chadian army.

Opposite, we denounce the madness of grandeur.

He takes a liking to power and risks seeking to maintain himself beyond the transitional period, accuses an activist from Wakit Tama, the coalition of political parties and civil society associations opposed to the transitional military council.

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• Chad

• Mahamat Idriss Deby