By John Ikani
Chad’s president, Mahamat Idriss Déby has named opposition party leader, Saleh Kebzabo, the new prime minister.
The appointment, announced on state television, comes two days after Deby said he plans to form a government of national unity as he extended his time in power by two years.
The 38-year-old five-star general took over after the elder Deby, in power for three decades, was killed during an operation against rebels in April 2021.
But he has since angered many at home and embarrassed backers abroad by pushing to stay in power beyond an initially-promised deadline and contest promised elections.
Deby’s junta had originally declared it would restore civilian rule after 18 months in power, and he had at first promised not to take part in the elections that would follow.
But as the 18-month deadline neared, a nationwide forum staged by Deby reset the clock.
Last weekend it approved a new 24-month timeframe for holding elections, named Deby “transitional president” for the interim and declared he could be a candidate in the poll.
Deby was sworn in on Monday as president for the new phase of the transition, which aims to be more inclusive and quell political and social divisions
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, the newly appointed Kebzabo promised to “accompany” the young Deby “in a great endeavour… the next two years of political transition.”
The 75-year-old who is the leader of the National Union for Democracy and Renewal (UNDR) was a fierce opponent in the last years of the elder Deby’s rule.
Notwithstanding, he was swift to recognise his son as leader after his death. Two leaders from his UNDR party took part in the first transition government named by the junta.
The outgoing premier was 55-year-old political veteran Albert Pahimi Padacke, who had served for 18 months and had also been prime minister under Deby’s father.
He formally resigned on Tuesday along with his government.
