Thousands of Chadians attended the state funeral of long-serving President Idriss Déby after he was killed earlier this week during a clash with rebels.

Among the foreign leaders there was France's President Emmanuel Macron, for whom Chad is a key ally in the fight against jihadists in region.

He addressed his words to the casket, saying "you lived as a soldier, you died as a soldier with weapons in hand.

"You gave your life for Chad in defence of its citizens."

He told attendees at N'Djamena packed main square, la Place de la Nation: "We will not let anybody put into question or threaten today or tomorrow Chad's stability and territorial integrity."

The ceremony also saw a military march-past and a speech by Déby's son, Gen Mahamat "Kaka" Déby Itno, who the army has named as the country's new leader.

He vowed to "stay loyal to the memory" of his father and pledged to continue the legacy of "dialogue, forgiveness, peace, unity" that the late president was "admired for".

The army says President Déby died in a battle with a dissident army rebel group, called Fact, in the country's north on Tuesday.

Other visiting heads of state at Friday's ceremony included the leaders of Guinea, Mali, Mauritania and Nigeria - who all ignored warnings from the rebels that they should not attend for security reasons.

After the military honours and speeches, prayers were said at the Grand Mosque of N'Djamena.

Then Mr Déby's remains were being flown to Amdjarass, a small village next to his hometown of Berdoba, more than 1,000 km (600 miles) from the capital, near the Sudanese border.

News of his shock death on Tuesday was met with tributes from numerous presidents - France's Emmanuel Macron called him a "brave friend", Cameroon's Paul Biya said he served "tirelessly", DR Congo's Felix Tshisikedi called it a "a great loss for Chad and for all of Africa", Mali's President Bah Ndaw lamented his "brutal" death and South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa called it "disturbing".

President Déby was a key player in security strategy in the Sahel region - and Chad is reputed for having one of the best-trained and best-equipped armies in West Africa, which is battling militants link to both al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

A military council led by his son, Gen Mahamat Déby Itno took power after his death.

The BBC's Lalla Sy says he only has partial support of the army, however he is backed by former colonial ruler France, which has a large military base in N'Djamena.

On Thursday French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian appeared to back the military takeover, by saying the immediate priority in Chad was to ensure the country's stability amid "exceptional circumstances".

Gen Déby, 37, has said the army will hold democratic elections in 18 months, but opposition leaders have condemned his succession as a "coup" and an army general said many officers were opposed to the transition. A general strike has been called in protest.

Fact rebels also reject it but have called a temporary ceasefire while Friday's funeral takes place.

In a statement on Friday, the rebels said their command centre had been bombed two days earlier in an attempt to kill their leader. Its location, and details of any casualties, were not specified.

Military divisions spell fragile beginnings'
Analysis by Lalla Sy, BBC News

Chad's president was one of Africa's longest-serving rulers and a close ally of the Western powers, especially France.

The support given to president Idriss Déby - officially aimed at fighting against rebel groups and Islamist militants in West and Central Africa - consisted of intelligence for the Chadian army, aerial surveillance, and even protecting strategic points for the Chadian army.

The presence of a foreign army is never well received by the local population, especially when they are soldiers of the former colonial power.

The idea that France deliberately maintains a certain chaos in the region to defend its interests is believed by many.

But divisions within Chad's military - who only partially support the new leader while rebels reject him outright - raises fears of instability as a fragile transition gets underway.

Source:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-56857563

The brave leader that led from the front

RIP

Black man!

Gh

R.I.P.

True leader.
Rest in peace Sir.

A true leader indeed

Rest In Peace brave one

Whereby if a president in a country dies only his family and party member will only attend the funeral

RIP

May his soul RIP.

When you fight Terrorism, Terrorism fights back.

We Must Continue Fighting Terrorism as Relentlessly as the Coronavirus.

Nigeria and Africa at large, should continue to pursue terrorists and fight terrorism like we are now fighting the coronavirus: relentlessly, creatively, and coherently.
There’s no miracle drug for stopping terrorism.
The best offense for the terrorist contagion is to continue the aggressive treatment that has inoculated the United States from a major terrorist attack since 9/11. Counterterrorism policy prescriptions must be complemented by capable foreign partners and sound operational work overseas — meaning gritty intelligence collection, surveillance, special operations, and especially the surgical targeting of terrorists.

Nigeria, Africa and the world at large will win this war.

RIP Great man.

We wish your son all the very best in the battles ahead.
We shall ALL overcome.

True leader
Not the type of Buhari

real leader

Jibrin is a senile idiot.
He is there drinking kunu in Aso Rock while Boko haram and bandits are butchering Nigerians

Alright. . . . . .Aje

R.I.P

True leader after serving for how many years...

RIP

Coldshisha:
The brave leader that led from the front

RIP

And at the end of the day, could not bring lasting peace to Chad...plus the rebel group he is fighting...that's about the nth rebel group that has arisien under his regime.

Plus he was as opressive as his predecessor.

And a sit tight ruler.

Modified

It is very funny to see Nigerians hailing a man who was a dictator, and who if he were running Nigeria, would have made Buhari look like a kind and gentle person...and no Buhari is not a good leader either.

The dude killed thousands of Bokoists...and thus he becomes a hero. ..meanwhile his country groans under a host of security challenges, is poor, and his son has now taken over leadership..human rights are zero in the country, and no one is complaining?

Nigerians should stop looking for heroes. It was our hero worship that got us Bubu in the first place.

Modified 2

And the rebel group he is fighting...this is not the first one of his long regime.

Hypocrisy of the West..

Imagine Macron endorsing illegality
[b]"you lived as a soldier, you died as a soldier with weapons in hand.

"You gave your life for Chad in defence of its citizens."[b]

He spent over 3 decades as President, illegally extending his tenure.

Even after his death, his son seized power in a coup-styled manner, yet they all kept quiet.

It's not possible for rebels to get close to derby. I think his death came from within

Au revoir, Maréchal.

How many will attend Buhari's funeral?

Ok

God punish all the evil people causing galatians malaga in this precious country Nigeria. rest in peace presidoo

saphiere:
How many will attend Buhari's funeral?

A large number...because no matter how bad you are as a leader in Nigeria, you always have lots of fans.

Plus Deby was buried in his home town. Naturally there would have been a large crowd. Now, if the funeral had held in certain parts of Chad where his name is mud...

He took bullet for his people..not like the one in asorock that is only in shock

saphiere:
How many will attend Buhari's funeral?

You will definitely when you are old as PMB is and blessed as he is.
May God allow you to live long to enjoy the fruits of your labour on earth.
And many God make you a shining star to your parents.
Keep being a good girl that you are and live a Good life that God has in plan for you.

Hugs and kisses