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The head of the Chadian military junta, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, left N’Djamena on Sunday for a “friendly and working visit” to France, according to a statement from his office.
The 37-year-old four-star general has led the junta since announcing in April that his father and veteran leader Idriss Déby Itno had been killed while leading troops against rebels in the north of the country.
Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, president of the Transitional Military Council (CMT), “left N’Djaména this morning for Paris,” his office said in a statement which gave no details of his itinerary in the French capital. .
A member of the Chadian delegation told French news agency AFP that the general would have dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday.
France, a former colonial power in Chad, becomes the third country visited by Déby, and the first outside Africa, after trips to Niger and Nigeria.
Elections promised after the transition
The MTC has promised “free and fair” elections after an 18-month transitional period, which could be extended.
France and the African Union have requested that this period not exceed 18 months.
The Chadian army, along with French troops, is one of the main pillars of the fight against jihadist groups in the Sahel region.
Macron was the only Western head of state to attend Idriss Déby Itno’s funeral and meet his son Mahamat.
Macron recently announced a gradual withdrawal of French troops from the Sahel in favor of a smaller contingent focused on the fight against terrorism and support for African armies.
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