On April 20, 2026, the Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS) held a solemn ceremony in N’Djamena to mark the fifth anniversary of the death of its founder, Marshal Idriss Déby Itno.
Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby used the occasion to pay an emotional tribute to his father, who was killed in combat in 2021 shortly after his re-election. In a statement read during the event, the President described the late Marshal as an exceptional leader who remained faithful to his national commitment until his final moments, famously falling with weapons in hand.
Reflecting on the period of intense uncertainty that followed his father’s passing, Mahamat Idriss Déby recalled the atmosphere of fear that gripped the capital, with schools and businesses shuttered. He defended his decision to assume leadership during those turbulent times, asserting that he did so out of necessity rather than personal ambition to ensure the country’s stability alongside his military comrades and political allies. He praised the Chadian people for their conduct during the subsequent political transition, which he characterized as a model of inclusive and consensual governance.
The President specifically highlighted the National Inclusive and Sovereign Dialogue (DNIS) as a cornerstone of this transition, noting that it facilitated the return and reintegration of exiled figures into the nation’s public life. Addressing the political landscape, he dismissed any claims that the ruling MPS had weakened, arguing instead that recent challenges have reinforced the party’s ideology and solidified its position as Chad’s leading political force.
To preserve the late Marshal’s legacy, the President announced the upcoming establishment of a dedicated museum and library focused on Idriss Déby Itno and the history of the MPS. He concluded his address by calling for national unity, stating that the most meaningful way to honor his father and others who died for the nation is through the continued cohesion and solidarity of the Chadian people.
CA/te/Sf/lb/abj/APA