A/75/PV.63 General Assembly

It is my sad duty to pay tribute to the memory of His Excellency Mr. Idriss Déby Itno, Head of State and President of the Republic of Chad, who passed away on 20 April. On behalf of the General Assembly, I request the representative of Chad to convey our condolences to the Government and the people of Chad and to the bereaved family of President Déby Itno. On behalf of the General Assembly, I extend my deepest sympathies to the family of President Idriss Déby Itno and to the Government and the people of the Republic of Chad on the President’s passing. The Republic of Chad has been a Member of the United Nations since 1960 and, for more than 60 years now, the United Nations has supported the Government of Chad in implementing policies that will address peace and security, sustainable development and human rights challenges. That is demonstrated today by the 14 United Nations programmes and agencies that are active in the country and working within the Delivering as One approach. As in so many countries around the world, the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Chad is being undermined by the insecurity in the region. President Déby was known for his proactive approach to peace and security. Under his leadership, Chad remained a reliable United Nations partner on issues of regional stability, in particular as part of efforts to combat terrorism, violent extremism and organized crime in the Sahel. As part of that commitment to peace and security, Chad also makes a significant contribution to peacekeeping and is one of the 14 major troop-contributing countries of the United Nations. Chad is also a member of the Joint Force of the Group of Five for the Sahel and currently supports the mission to neutralize armed groups, help national reconciliation and establish stable democratic institutions in Libya. Chad’s commitment to multilateralism goes beyond the United Nations; Chad plays an important role on the African continent and held the chairmanship of the African Union in 2016. Today we honour the accomplishments of President Déby, which will long be remembered here at the United Nations. I wish the family of the President and the people of Chad well as they mourn their great loss. I now ask the Assembly to join me in a minute of silence.

I now give the floor to His Excellency Secretary-General António Guterres.

I was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of President Idriss Déby Itno on 19 April. I knew him very well. On behalf of the United Nations, I wish to reiterate my deepest condolences to his family and to the Government and the people of Chad. President Déby worked tirelessly to ensure the stability of his country, the subregion and the entire African continent. He transformed Chad into an influential regional Power that played a key role in the Sahel and the Lake Chad basin. His leadership, which I personally witnessed, allowed Chad to open its doors to thousands of refugees from neighbouring countries. Chad welcomed them generously and shared its resources with them, despite the fact that those resources were scarce. President Déby was a crucial partner for the United Nations, in particular in the fight against terrorism, violent extremism and organized crime. At this crucial juncture for Chad, I must underscore the staunch determination of the United Nations to serve the people of Chad in its quest for an inclusive and prosperous future. I hope that, in the days to come, the people of Chad will together be able to embark upon a consensus-based and peaceful journey towards the future. That is vital if we are to move towards lasting peace, achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, strengthen democracy and protect human rights for all.

I thank the Secretary-General for his statement. I now give the floor to the representative of the Comoros, who will speak on behalf of the Group of African States.

On behalf of the members the Group of African States, I have the sad duty of taking the floor at today’s solemn posthumous tribute, convened by the General Assembly to honour the great statesman President Idriss Déby Itno, who left us on 20 April. On behalf of the member States of the African Group, I pay tribute to the memory of the late President and extend our deepest condolences to the Government and to the brotherly people of the Republic of Chad, who were plunged into mourning following the untimely passing away of a great African statesman. On behalf of the Group of African States, I also extend condolences to all his family members and loved ones and pray that Almighty God will grant them the strength to make it through this challenging time. Here in the Hall  — a veritable symbol of our world  — at this solemn time, we pray that Almighty God will welcome the late President Idriss Déby into His eternal paradise. May his soul rest in peace.

I now give the floor to the representative of Kyrgyzstan, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Asia-Pacific States.

On behalf of the Group of Asia-Pacific States, I would like to extend our deepest and sincerest condolences to the Government and the people of the Republic of Chad, as well as to our colleagues at the Permanent Mission of Chad, on the passing away of their late President, His Excellency Mr. Idriss Déby Itno, on 20 April. It is with great sorrow that we learned of the passing away of the late President earlier this month. He was a man who served his country distinctly and passed away while defending his country and its people. President Déby was a strong leader, devoted to protecting his nation from insecurity, and spared no effort in securing regional stability and combating the threat of terrorism and violent extremism. His Excellency President Déby was loyal to his country throughout his life and was committed to the prosperity of Chad despite all the challenges he faced. He leaves behind a country mourning his loss. We hope that Chad will seek to build a prosperous future. I would like to conclude by reiterating the heartfelt condolences of the member States of the Asia-Pacific Group to the family and loved ones of the late President. May he rest in peace.

I now give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Eastern European States.

Today we pay tribute to the late President of the Republic of Chad, His Excellency Mr. Idriss Déby Itno. President Déby was a prominent African statesman who was highly respected in his own country and abroad. During his tenure as Head of State, he made a significant contribution to the socioeconomic development of Chad, the maintenance of peace and security on the African continent and the international fight against terrorism and extremism in the regions of the Lake Chad basin and the Sahel. We take this opportunity to convey our confidence that Chad will successfully chart its course through these turbulent times and continue its efforts aimed at ensuring peace, stability and the well-being and prosperity of its people. On behalf of the Group of Eastern European States, I extend our sincerest condolences to the family of President Déby and to the people of the Republic of Chad.

I now give the floor to the representative of Colombia, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States to pay tribute to the memory of His Excellency Mr. Idriss Déby Itno, late President and Head of Government of the Republic of Chad. We express our sincere condolences to his family and to the people and the Government of Chad. President Déby will be remembered for his commitment to the political stability of his country and for his role in the promotion of peace and security in the Sahel. His efforts and leadership in combating terrorism and violent extremism, as well as his support for the work of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, should be recognized by the international community. As we pay tribute to his memory, may his legacy further contribute to the prosperity of the Republic of Chad. On behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States, I would like to reiterate our heartfelt sympathies.

I now give the floor to the representative of Portugal, who will speak on behalf of the Group of Western European and Other States.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of Western European and Other States. We received with commiseration the news of the passing away of President Idriss Déby Itno. On behalf of the Group of Western European and Other States, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to the Republic of Chad and its people and to the family and friends of the deceased. President Idriss Déby’s untimely death was a stark reminder of the challenges faced by Chad, the Sahel and the Lake Chad basin. President Déby’s commitment to the fight against terrorism and violent extremism and to regional stability in the Sahel will be remembered. He believed in regional cooperation and in the need for collective answers to transnational challenges. The personal commitment to facilitating the deployment of a Chadian battalion of the Joint Force of the Group of Five for the Sahel in the three-frontier zone was an example of solidarity among Sahelian States. Faced with daunting challenges at home and at its borders, the Republic of Chad has nonetheless been a generous troop-contributing country to United Nations peacekeeping missions. Chadian Blue Helmets have only recently paid the ultimate price for their dedication to the promotion of our common values. We also honour their memory on this occasion. Alongside the African Union, we encourage further progress towards a peaceful transition in Chad, limited in duration and anchored in an inclusive national dialogue. We encourage a commitment to free and fair elections in the near future and a peaceful return to constitutional order, with respect for and the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. As regional challenges remain unabated, we trust that the Republic of Chad will emerge with a renewed commitment to democratic stability and to national, regional, continental and global peace and security. On behalf of our Group, allow me to extend once again our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, the Republic of Chad and its people.

I now give the floor to the representative of the United States, who will speak on behalf of the host country.

The news of the passing way of President Idriss Déby Itno was a great shock to us, as it was to the rest of the world. I offer the heartfelt condolences of the Government of the United States to his family and loved ones and to all the people of Chad during this difficult time. Today we remember a leader and a partner who dedicated his life to the fight against violent extremism. His passing away is a seismic development for Chad and the entire region. Most Chadians have never experienced another person in the presidency. President Déby’s death is a reminder to us all that the dangers faced by the people of Chad and its neighbours are real and present and that we must seek stability and peace together. Today we thank the people of Chad for their commitment to that goal and for the many sacrifices that they have made in that pursuit. In this moment of transition, we stand by the Chadian people in calling for an inclusive national dialogue, one in which all sectors of the society have a chance to shape the future of their country. This is their opportunity. That dialogue should deliver a timely transition to the democratically elected Government that the people of Chad deserve. These next weeks and months will not be easy, but the Chadian people have time and time again shown the same resolve towards defeating violent extremism that their former President showed during his life. Idriss Déby frequently said that he would depart the presidency as he entered it  — through the front door. A military man at his core, Idriss Déby, a warrior, kept his word.

I now give the floor the representative of Haiti, who will speak on behalf of the Caribbean Community.

I am honoured to speak on behalf of the member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), as we, the members of the General Assembly, pay tribute to the memory of His Excellency Mr. Idriss Déby Itno, late President of the Republic of Chad, on his tragic and untimely passing. President Déby Itno was well known as a great statesman and military leader whose personal commitment and fierce determination to combat terrorism, violent extremism and organized crime in the Sahelo-Saharan region was enduring and unwavering. He was unafraid of the battlefield and of the front line, and it was there that he paid the ultimate price. President Déby’s commitment to the elimination of extremism and to the promotion of stability, in particular in West Africa, coincides with the core values of the United Nations, thereby making the loss of this valued partner all the more distressing and regrettable. On behalf of CARICOM, we extend our sincere condolences to the family of President Déby, whom we know must be overcome with grief at this time. We also extend our deepest condolences to the Government and the people of Chad and wish them comfort, peace, stability and prosperity. May they find solace in his legacy.

I now give the floor to the representative of Chad.

First of all, on behalf of Their Excellencies Mr. Mahamat Idriss Déby, President of the Transitional Military Council and Head of State, and Mr. Albert Pahimi Padacké, Prime Minister and Head of the Transitional Government, and on behalf of the people of Chad, allow me to convey my deepest gratitude for the convening of today’s plenary meeting of the General Assembly to pay tribute to the late Field Marshal of Chad, Idriss Déby Itno, who died on 20 April, following injuries he sustained while fighting mercenaries from Libya. Today’s solemn tribute is an expression of the solidarity and outpouring of support from the international community to the Chadian people at this painful time. Rest assured that the Chadian people are deeply touched. I would also like to sincerely thank all speakers and Member States represented here today for the kind words and sincere condolences extended to the Government and the people of Chad and to the family of the dearly departed. According to chapter 55, verse 26, of the Holy Qur’an, all that is on Earth will perish. Similarly, according to the Bible in Psalm 119:19, I am a stranger on the Earth. It is divine will. As a human being and mere mortal, Chad’s Field Marshal, Idriss Déby Into, did not escape the divine law that we all must accept with humility. May he rest in peace. Allow me to attempt to describe who this exceptional man was, although it is challenging to summarize his rich trajectory in a few words. Three characteristics set him apart. First of all, he was a man of commitment  — a revolutionary. Idriss Déby Itno was a great statesman, whose leadership and exceptional qualities were commended throughout the world. First and foremost, he was a committed son of Chad, whose life is itself a summary of modern Chadian history. He was born in 1952 in Berdoba, in the north-eastern desert region of Chad, to a family of nomadic herders. He attended several schools in Chad, including the Officers Training School, before leaving for France to pursue military studies. There he received his professional pilot’s license and a parachutist license in 1976. As he was deeply patriotic, he returned to Chad to join the rebel ranks who were fighting against the injustice meted out by the Government at the time and the Libyan occupation. He rose to lead the Chadian army and took part in legendary battles at the end of the 1980s, which enabled the Chadian territory occupied by Libya and its proxies to be reconquered. At the end of the Libyan occupation, Idriss Déby Itno’s patriotic struggle pitted him against the bloody dictatorship of Hissène Habré, to which he put an end in December 1990. He established democracy and political pluralism and guaranteed the fundamental freedoms of the Chadian people. The democratic era established by President Idriss Déby Itno continues today. As the father of Chad’s democracy, the late President Idriss Déby Itno continued to fiercely protect that precious good. On several occasions, with weapon in hand, he defended the country’s democratic and republican institutions against threats from groups of mercenaries of all kinds from outside — for example, in 2006 and 2008 when they reached the doors of the presidential palace in N’Djamena. I would be remiss if I did not mention his Pan- Africanism. He was a quintessential African and champion for economic development. President Idriss Déby was a Pan-Africanist in his soul. He was encouraged by his conviction that Africa’s dignity and magnificence depended upon its unity. He therefore put into practice the principle that the African Union holds dear — African solutions to African problems. To that end, and despite Chad’s limited resources, Field Marshal Idriss Déby Itno seized every opportunity to share the little at Chad’s disposal with its fellow African countries. When Mali was attacked by terrorists, Chad responded to the call for help issued by the Malian authorities by sending its own sons to defend Mali. We all know what happened next, and we monitor developments via the Joint Force of the Group of Five for the Sahel and its efforts. He also sent the Chadian army to fight against Boko Haram in Cameroon, the Niger and Nigeria. Today Chad participates in peacekeeping operations in Mali, through the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, as well as in other countries in the Lake Chad basin through the Multinational Joint Task Force against Boko Haram. The late Field Marshal Idriss Déby Itno was also a man who believed in peace, dialogue, forgiveness and generosity. He was the President who organized the Sovereign National Conference in 1993, which enabled reconciliation among the Chadian people and laid the foundation for new democratic institutions and participatory governance. Two other inclusive national forums were organized, in 2018 and 2020, so as to strengthen institutions and political governance in Chad through dialogue and cooperation. Beyond Chad’s borders, the President Déby contributed to the quest for peace and reconciliation in neighbouring countries, such as the Sudan, Libya and the Central African Republic, to name only a few. With regard to socioeconomic development, the late Field Marshal Idriss Déby was above all the man who successfully exploited Chad’s oil resources in the Doba basin. He had to overcome great obstacles to achieve that crucial goal, with the support of the World Bank and other institutions that had made a historic commitment in agreeing to fund that major oil pipeline project, stretching from Chad to the coast of Cameroon. The late Idriss Déby Itno also launched important projects to build a modern foundation for the well- being of the population through large-scale investments in priority sectors, such as infrastructure, education, health, rural development and several others. Although Chad is far from achieving its development goals, considerable efforts are under way, and significant progress has been made in those areas with the support of all our international partners. The late President Idriss Déby had one overarching objective — to make Chad an emerging regional Power by 2030. His ultimate goal was to ensure that Chad was a peaceful nation, united in its cultural diversity, revitalized by an economy that had been transformed and able to provide a comfortable life for the benefit of all. His vision is reflected in the national development plan “The Chad We Want”, which is being implemented. He died leaving the people of Chad a State that functions well. The country is safe and at peace and respected around the world. That did not happen by chance. It is the result of informed political choices and rational and courageous efforts led by the President himself. It is up to the people of Chad, in particular the political class and all those who make up the lifeblood of the nation, to preserve the hard-won and dedicated legacy of President Déby and strengthen it in order to maintain stability, peace, security and a better life for the people of Chad and the subregion. Although we have touched on only a few aspects of the life of the late President Idriss Déby Itno, we must acknowledge that the death of the President has ushered in a new era for Chad. When the death of the President was announced, the people of Chad did not turn on each other, thanks to the legacy of unity, love and peace bequeathed to them. The catastrophic predictions did not come to pass. The Chadian State still stands and will remain standing. Chadians have surprised the world by their maturity and will continue to do so by meeting the harsh challenges imposed on them. Following the death of the President, the Chadian National Army shouldered its responsibility by creating a Transitional Military Council to prevent the collapse of the State and ensure its continuity in the light of threats from Libya. The Prime Minister of the Transitional Government was appointed and formed a Government of National Unity yesterday, 2 May. The national transitional council will be established shortly. As we usher in an era of transition, Chad, a country with a tumultuous history and surrounded by conflict zones, requires the support of the international community now more than ever before, in particular of the United Nations, which we all represent today, to assist the transitional authorities in addressing the situation in Chad, in all its complexity and in a unique regional environment. Today the survival of the Chadian State is under threat — and we all know that. At the first opportunity, hordes of mercenaries and other criminals who roam the region will descend upon the country and bring about chaos, with all the attendant risks for Chad and the entire region. Islamist groups are in the Horn of Africa, Mozambique, the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Lake Chad region and the Sahel. I will leave members to draw their own conclusions. That is why we need clear political support at this critical juncture in Chad’s history, as well as support for the African Union road map for inclusive national dialogue and reconciliation, for the organization of free and transparent democratic elections and for the Government in responding to the social and economic aspirations of its people. We also need support for managing population movements and the other disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes that are under way.