[African Arguments] Idriss Déby's death was shocking. It was shocking to Chadians, to the greater Sahel, and to policymakers and politicians. Déby, who came to power in 1990 through the force of a coup d'état, seemed to defy decades of opposition, rebellion, and even coup attempts. On April 18, the day before he was killed, he had been reelected for a sixth presidential term. Despite ongoing protests in the country and attempts to overthrow him in recent years, his grip on power seemed even more secure. Y
