Chad's longtime president wins sixth term as army fights rebels

Chad’s long-time leader, Idriss Deby has secured almost 80% of the votes in provisional results following the presidential election.

It puts him on track for a sixth consecutive term, extending his 30 years in power.

There have been celebrations in the capital, N'Djamena.

"Our candidate Idriss Deby Itno won the first round of the presidential election. We see this as a double victory because he also managed to expel the terrorists from our territory.

"We want peace, nothing but peace. May the people remain calm, for as long as our Marshal (Deby) lives we will live in security," a supporter who believes that Chad will be safer under Mr Deby, said.

Opposition leaders boycotted the election.

Mr Deby’s campaign manager said the president would have liked to celebrate with his supporters but was instead with his troops engaged in fighting insurgents.

The Chadian military have said they repulsed advancing rebels at the weekend, killing more than 300 - a figure that cannot be verified independently.

Source: BBC