Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno publicly defended Minister Ismail Souleymane Lony on Monday following the release of compromising audio recordings.
Despite the controversy, President Deby stated that he maintains his full confidence in the minister, describing him as loyal and trustworthy.
The President addressed the scandal directly, noting that the leaked audio dates back to the early days of the transition, a time when Lony did not hold his current position. He suggested that the leak was not a personal attack but rather an attempt to undermine “the positions he currently holds, the institution he heads, and his role in the country’s security system.”
In March 2025, General Ismail Souleymane Lony was promoted to Minister, Director General of the National Agency for State Security (ANSE). The audio recordings, which have circulated widely on WhatsApp and Telegram, allegedly expose state secrets, political conspiracies against Generals Idriss Youssouf Boy and Ousman Adam Dicki, and private details about the president. According to several observers, the leak highlights a significant moral and political decline within the state and raises questions about the security and integrity of the presidency.
President Deby denounced the scandal as “a family settling of scores, a shameless slander,” claiming it is part of a pattern of attacks that have “ruined the careers of several senior Chadian officials.”
While acknowledging that the minister “acted with great carelessness during this private conversation that touched on inappropriate topics,” the President reaffirmed his confidence in him. “Convinced of his loyalty and commitment, I renew my full confidence in him and I invite him, as well as all the executives of the Republic, to learn from this,” he stated.
CA/ac/Sf/fss/abj/APA