Idriss Déby: Newly-reelected Chadian president ‘killed by rebel gunfire’

President Idriss Déby of Chad has been confirmed dead after sustaining injuries in battle field.

He was reported dead on Tuesday, a day after he won re-election for a sixth term in office.

The Chadian national army confirmed his death from injuries sustained in a fight with rebels over the weekend.

The president was said to be commanding his army in the battle against the rebels in the far north.

Azem Agouna, a spokesman of the Chadian army, said in a broadcast that the late leader “breathed his last defending the sovereign nation on the battlefield”.

Aged 68, Déby was one of the longest serving presidents of the Central African country, having stayed in office for about 30 years.