Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, the former military leader, has officially assumed the role of president in Chad, marking a significant transition from military to civilian rule in the Sahel region.

Following a contested election victory, the president-elect was sworn in during a ceremony in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad, with the presence of various regional leaders, including the Togolese and Mauritanian presidents, as well as representatives from Gabon and Niger.

The Chadian Constitutional Council confirmed Mahamat Deby’s win in the election, despite challenges from his main opponent, Succes Masra, who later resigned as prime minister after the results were upheld.

Mahamat Deby, who took over as interim leader in 2021 after his father’s death, has pledged to lead Chad towards a brighter future under constitutional governance, following a period of unrest and protests.