During World War II, Chad gained strategic importance.
It was among the first French territories to rally to the Free French Forces under Charles de Gaulle after the fall of France in 1940. Chadian troops participated in campaigns across North Africa, marking an early assertion of political agency within the colonial framework.
After the war, nationalist movements gained momentum across Africa. In Chad, political activism emerged gradually. Leaders such as François Tombalbaye advocated for greater autonomy and eventually independence. On August 11, 1960, Chad achieved independence from France. Tombalbaye became the country’s first president.
Independence did not bring immediate stability. Deep regional, ethnic, and religious divisions shaped the political landscape. The predominantly Muslim north and largely Christian or animist south had experienced different colonial policies and educational opportunities. Tombalbaye’s government, perceived by many northerners as favoring southern interests, faced growing opposition. By the mid-1960s, armed rebellion had erupted in the north, leading to decades of intermittent civil war.
The post-independence period was marked by coups, insurgencies, and foreign interventions. Tombalbaye was overthrown and killed in 1975. Subsequent governments struggled to maintain unity. In the 1980s, conflict between rival factions escalated, drawing in neighboring countries and external powers. Hissène Habré seized power in 1982, ruling with authoritarian methods until 1990, when he was overthrown by Idriss Déby.
Idriss Déby’s presidency, which lasted until his death in 2021, brought a degree of relative stability but also continued political repression and periodic rebellion. Chad’s strategic position in the Sahel made it a key partner in regional security efforts, particularly in combating extremist groups. However, political reform and democratic consolidation have remained ongoing challenges. shutdown123