Chadian President Idriss Deby died while visiting troops on the front lines of fighting rebels in the north, an army spokesman said Tuesday, the day after Deby was declared the winner of the presidential election.
Deby, 68, came to power in a rebellion in 1990 and was one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.
His campaign said Monday it was joining troops fighting what he called terrorists after rebels based across Libya’s northern border advanced hundreds of miles to the capital, N’Djamena. [L1N2MC20E]
The cause of death was not yet clear.
Army spokesman Azem Bermendao Agouna announced his death on a state television show, surrounded by a group of military officers he referred to as the National Transitional Council.
“A call for dialogue and peace is launched for all Chadians in the country and abroad to continue to build Chad together,” he said.
“The National Transitional Council assures the people of Chad that all measures have been taken to guarantee peace, security and republican order.”
Western countries have seen Deby as an ally in the fight against Islamist extremist groups, including Boko Haram in the Lake Chad basin and groups linked to Al Qaeda and the Islamic State in the Sahel.
Deby also addressed public dissatisfaction with Chad’s oil wealth management and crackdown on opponents.
His election victory gave him a sixth term, but the April 11 vote was boycotted by opposition leaders.
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