New Chad Prime Minister Says Dialogue Crucial For Unity

Chad has made a political transition this week, switching from a Junta to a transitional civilian government, with the swearing-in of Mahamat Deby as president  on October 17, 2022. Deby will now be in power for an additional two years until elections in October 2024. The junta had originally promised a return to civilian rule within 18 months.

The new leader used his inauguration to ask the international community to help Chad in its "quest for security and stability - particularly in the theatres of peacekeeping operations and the fight against terrorism."

Newly appointed Prime Minister Saleh Kebzabo, will lead a unity government for a transitional period of two years. In an interview with Deutsche Welle, Kebzabo stressed the importance of dialogue. Kebzabo said the priorities were unity and internal harmony.

"Today we have a country that is going up in flames and is suffering from violence with conflicts between communities that are not acceptable, they are tribal wars. We must fight against them by not only trying to put out the burning fire but by addressing the root of the problem."

The African Union (AU) has been criticized for not sanctioning Chad immediately when the military took power, as it did in the cases of Mali and Burkina Faso, following coups there.

The AU is "weakening itself" when it proceeds one way with Chad and another way with other countries, said Chad expert Helga Dickow. "That puts the organization in a very difficult position."