N'DJAMENA, Chad — Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno, who ruled the central African nation for more than three decades, died Tuesday of wounds suffered on the battlefield during a fight against rebels, the military announced on national television and radio.
The stunning announcement came just hours after electoral officials had declared Deby, 68, the winner of the April 11 presidential election, paving the way for him to stay in power for six more years.
An 18-month transitional council will be led by Deby's 37-year-old son, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, the military said, also imposing a nightly curfew of 6 p.m.
"In the face of this worrying situation, the people of Chad must show their attachment to peace, to stability, and to national cohesion," Gen. Azem Bermandoa Agouma said.
Chad, population 16 million, was a part of the French colonial empire from 1900 to 1960.
