Chad military junta names transition government

Chad’s military junta, which took power last month following the battlefield death of longtime leader Idriss Deby, has named a new transition government, the army spokesman said.

Deby's death on the frontlines in a fight against northern rebels ended his 30-year Western-backed rule and triggered a political crisis in the poor Sahel country.

The so-called Transitional Military Council (CMT), led by Deby's son Mahamat Idriss Deby, seized power and promised to hold elections within 18 months.

The Military Council named a new government on Sunday, comprising 40 ministers and deputy ministers and created a new national reconciliation ministry to be headed by Acheick Ibn Oumar, a former rebel chief, Army Spokesman Azem Bermandoa Agouna said in a statement.

Saleh Kebzabo, a long-time opposition leader, was not appointed to the transition government. But he released a statement, saying he “recognized” it. Two members of his party were given portfolios, however.

Another opposition figure, Mahamat Ahmat Alhabo, will be justice minister.

Previously, the opposition had branded the CMT’s power seizure as an “institutional coup d’etat.”

Chad has witnessed protests as well as an intensified campaign against rebels since Deby’s death, which was announced just the day after he was declared the winner of an April 11 election.

ME