In April 2021, Chadian president Idriss Déby was reportedly killed in an ambush by rebel soldiers while he was visiting the frontline against a surging rebellion. The day before he was killed, Déby had been announced the winner of his fifth presidential election, marking the 30th year of his presidency.
News of his election win had been met with ambivalence – Déby was one of Africa’s most notorious strongmen. He had used violence, intimidation and lengthy internet shutdowns against critics of his rule. News of his death, on the other hand, sent shockwaves throughout the world – not because of how he died, but because of what came next.
