What is the history of Chad and how did it gain independence?
Posted on Jan 08, 2026 / Travel
Chad’s history includes centuries of indigenous kingdoms and societies prior to European colonisation. In the late 19th century, French forces occupied the region and eventually integrated it into French Equatorial Africa as an administrative territory. Chad declared full independence from France on August 11, 1960, as part of the wave of African nations gaining sovereignty from colonial rule. Since independence, Chad has experienced periods of political instability, including civil war, military rule, and tensions between rebel groups and the central government. Former long-time leader Idriss Déby ruled for decades until his death in 2021, after which his son Mahamat Idriss Déby assumed leadership under a transitional government. Recent constitutional changes have aimed to consolidate power and extend presidential terms. The nation’s complex political history continues to shape its modern governance.
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