Chad: Mahamat Idriss Déby sworn in as president of the transition

Mahamat Idriss Déby during his inauguration as President of the Transition of Chad.

AFP - DENIS SASSOU GUEIPEUR

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

This is a new stage in the transition in Chad.

Mahamat Idriss Déby was officially invested as president of the transition on Monday, October 10.

The investiture ceremony took place at the end of the Inclusive National Dialogue, boycotted by a large part of the opposition and civil society.

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With our special correspondent in Ndjamena

,

entering the great hall of the Palais du 15-Janvier

, flanked by two judges of the Supreme Court of Chad.

He was greeted by applause from more than a thousand Chadian personalities and several distinguished guests, including only one head of state: Muhammadu Buhari, President of Nigeria.

The African Union was not represented at this ceremony, the President of its Commission, Moussa Faki, having declined the invitation sent to him.

Mahamat Idriss Déby appeared in a white djellaba and it is no coincidence.

He has traded in his general's military fatigues, a symbol to show that the military junta which has led since the death of Idriss Déby senior no longer officially exists and that Chad is now led by

for the next 24 months.

► See also Chad: Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno appointed president of an extended two-year transition

Government of national unity

The highlight of this ceremony was the swearing in of the transitional president.

Mahamat Idriss Déby advanced in front of a desk, left hand resting on the transition chart and right hand raised.

In particular, he swore to preserve and enforce the transitional charter and preserve the territorial integrity of

.

Then he took the floor to address his compatriots.

In this message to the Nation of about thirty minutes, he undertook during this second phase of the transition to set up within " a

 "

.

He will have to work as a priority on the return to constitutional order in the next 24 months.

The transitional president also called for the referendum to be organized as soon as possible, as agreed during the dialogue, to decide between those who advocate a highly centralized military state and those who campaign for a Federation.

The investiture festivities of Mahamat Idriss Déby will continue this Monday evening with celebration ceremonies, as they are called in Chad.

A concert must notably take place on the Place de la Nation, in the heart of Ndjamena.

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• Chad

• Mahamat Idriss Deby