Mahamat Deby elevated to marshal rank amid Chad’s political crossroads

In a ceremony steeped in history and significance, Chad’s leader, General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, was officially promoted to the rank of marshal on Saturday at the presidential palace.

The prestigious title, previously held by his late father, Idriss Deby Itno, symbolizes both a continuation of legacy and a pivotal moment in the nation’s political journey.

The National Transition Council (NTC), dominated by the ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), overwhelmingly approved the promotion. The council’s resolution cited Deby’s “services rendered to the nation and numerous military victories” as the basis for the honor.

The late Idriss Deby Itno, who led Chad for 30 years, was awarded the same rank in 2020 following a victorious campaign against Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region. His death in 2021 at the hands of rebels paved the way for his son to assume leadership with the backing of a military junta.

Reflecting on the significance of the event, analysts highlight how the title connects Mahamat Deby to his father’s legacy while underscoring Chad’s complex political landscape.

Mahamat Deby’s legitimacy remains contested. He secured his position in a contentious presidential election in May 2024, a process heavily criticized by opposition groups. The timing of his promotion, just weeks ahead of Chad’s first parliamentary elections since 2011, has drawn further attention. Opposition parties have vowed to boycott the December 29 elections, spotlighting the nation’s fraught political challenges.

Adding to the tensions, Chad recently announced the end of its military cooperation with France, severing ties with its former colonial ruler. This move followed France’s forced withdrawals from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger due to regional coups, signaling a decline in its military influence across Africa.

Mahamat Deby’s elevation to marshal reinforces his position in Chad’s political hierarchy, but it also raises questions about the country’s democratic trajectory and the balance of power in a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape.