How social media reacted to the death of Chad's president, Idriss Deby

Just a few hours after he garnered 79.32% of the votes cast and declared by the provisional results by the national electoral body on Monday evening, a number of international news sites have reported that Chad's president, President Idriss Deby Itno, has died.

His re-election was the sixth time he had won elections in the West African country.

Army spokesman, General Azem Bermandoa Agouna, announced the death in a statement read on TV Chad, saying, "The president of the republic, head of state, supreme head of the army, Idriss Déby Itno, has just breathed his last while defending the territorial integrity on the battlefield. It is with deep bitterness that we announce to the Chadian people the death this Tuesday, April 20, 2021 of the Marshal of Chad."

That brought to an end his 30 years-reign as the Head of State in what has been announced as dying from injuries sustained while commanding his army in fighting against rebels in the north over the weekend.

Mr Déby, 68, a career military officer who seized power in 1990 in a coup, was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal last August.

Social media users have been reacting to his death amidst the news that the son of the late president, 37-year-old Mahamat Idriss Deby, the President of the Transitional Military Council of Chad.

This makes the new ruler Africa's Youngest Head of State.

Here are some of the reactions from some users on Twitter:

Dear God, when i came to you in prayer i didn't say I'm from Chad. pic.twitter.com/tA2fkqexHE

— SHANKI???? (@ShankiAustine) April 20, 2021

The death of Chad’s President is suspicious to me.
Instability in Chad will be a huge security threat to Nigeria.

— Mustapha Bulama (@Bulamacartoons) April 20, 2021

President Buhari's friend, Chad's President Idriss Deby. Who rigged sixth term with 79.3% votes last week, died this morning.

— Adetutu Balogun, MBA (@Tutsy22) April 20, 2021

After ruling Chad for 31 years, Idris Derby will be succeeded by his son General Mahamat Kaka as acting President.

The US and its allies will be okay with the arrangement just like they were okay with Derby's 31 years Dictatorship. Strategic interest >>> Democracy.

— Kelvin Odanz (@MrOdanz) April 20, 2021

France has managed 2 father to son dictatorial transitions;

1. Gnassingbe Eyadema to Faure Gnassingbe (Togo).
2. Omar Bongo Ondimba to Ali Bongo Ondimba (Gabon).

Now a third - from Idriss Deby to his son (Chad).

Congratulations France, "defender of democracy in Africa"!!

— Onye Nkuzi (@cchukudebelu) April 20, 2021

The President of Chad died today. That's 3 African heads of state dead within a year. Burundi ????????, Tanzania ???????? and Chad ???????? ????

— Omubo Duabo (@OmuboDuabo) April 20, 2021

For an old “president”, to die on the battlefield is such a Chad thing to do.

— Ruslan Tsutsaev (@Tsutsaev_Ruslan) April 20, 2021

The thing is that late President Idriss Déby of Chad displayed the quality of leadership which is lacking in Nigeria. He was no democrat like his Nigerian counterpart but he admirably led from the front & died doing so! That could be the reason why Nigerians are discussing Chad.

— Agu (@EkezuIkpa_II) April 20, 2021

I've never known anyone from Chad but I'm sad for #idrissdeby supporters at this time. I really pray for peace on the continent of Africa. Slavery and colonialism has made tranquility elusive for many places on my beloved motherland. https://t.co/2UcqiyZtYh

— ElleKG (@ellekgwriter) April 20, 2021