by Nurat Uthman
Chad has named its ambassador to China, Allamaye Halina, as its new prime minister, according to a decree read on state television on Thursday, after newly elected President Mahamat Idriss Deby was sworn in to succeed his late father.
Allamaye Halina would assume the post of prime minister after Succes Masra announced his resignation from the position this week.
Masra, who resigned from the post on Wednesday, was Deby’s main rival in the election.
He had only served as prime minister since the beginning of the year, having returned to the country under a reconciliation agreement after a period in exile following a crackdown on protests against military rule.
The opposition leader came second in the election with 18.54 percent of the vote, unsuccessfully challenging the result on allegations of fraud.
After the Constitutional Council rejected his bid, he called on supporters to “remain mobilised” but “peaceful”.
Eight African heads of state and foreign dignitaries, including Franck Riester, France’s minister for foreign trade and Francophonie, attended Deby’s swearing-in ceremony.
The presidential term runs for five years and can be renewed once.
