HumptyDumpty: Creating Draft:Chad

2026-09-26T10:54:55Z

Creating Draft:Chad

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{{Infobox country
| name = Chad
| official_name = Republic of Chad
| native_name = République du Tchad<br />جمهورية تشاد
| flag = Flag of Chad.svg
| capital = [[N'Djamena]]
| largest_city = [[N'Djamena]]
| official_languages = [[French language|French]] and [[Arabic]]
| demonym = Chadian
| government = [[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Presidential system|presidential republic]]
| president = [[Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno]]
| prime_minister = [[Allamaye Halina]]
| legislature = [[Parliament of Chad]]
| upper_house = [[Senate of Chad|Senate]]
| lower_house = [[National Assembly of Chad|National Assembly]]
| independence = 11 August 1960
| area_km2 = 1,284,000
| population_estimate = 21,003,705
| population_estimate_year = 2025
| population_density_km2 = 16.7
| currency = [[Central African CFA franc]]
| currency_code = XAF
| time_zone = [[West Africa Time]]
| utc_offset = +1
| calling_code = +235
| cctld = .td
}}

'''Chad''', officially the '''Republic of Chad''', is a landlocked country in [[Central Africa]]. It borders [[Libya]] to the north, [[Sudan]] to the east, the [[Central African Republic]] to the south, [[Cameroon]] and [[Nigeria]] to the southwest, and [[Niger]] to the west. Its capital and largest city is [[N'Djamena]]. Chad covers about 1,284,000 square kilometres, making it one of Africa's largest countries by area.<ref name="UNData">[https://data.un.org/en/iso/td.html "Chad"], United Nations Data, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref><ref name="GeographyOfficial">[https://presidencetchad.org/tchad/geographie/ "Géographie"], Presidency of the Republic of Chad, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref>

The country's landscape changes markedly from north to south. The northern part lies within the [[Sahara Desert]] and includes the [[Tibesti Mountains]], while central Chad forms part of the semi-arid [[Sahel]]. The south receives substantially more rainfall and includes savanna, agricultural areas and the valleys of the [[Chari River|Chari]] and [[Logone River|Logone]] rivers. [[Lake Chad]], from which the country takes its name, lies along the western frontier.<ref name="Climate">[https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/CHAD-NAP_EN-web.pdf "Chad National Adaptation Plan"], United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref><ref name="GeographyOfficial" />

Chad had an estimated population of about 21.0 million in 2025. French and Arabic are the official languages, while numerous other languages are spoken by the country's ethnically and linguistically diverse population. Islam and Christianity are the two largest religious traditions.<ref name="UNData" /><ref name="UNHRI">[https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3857043/files/HRI_CORE_TCD_2019-EN.pdf "Common core document forming part of the reports of States parties: Chad"], United Nations, 2019, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref>

Chad became independent from [[France]] on 11 August 1960. Its post-independence history has included civil wars, rebellions, military interventions and long periods of centralized presidential rule. Following the death of President [[Idriss Déby]] in 2021, a military transition was established under his son, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno. Déby was declared the winner of the May 2024 presidential election by the Constitutional Council and was inaugurated later that month.<ref name="Independence">[https://history.state.gov/countries/chad "A Guide to the United States' History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776: Chad"], Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref><ref name="Election2024">[https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/chad-junta-leader-deby-declared-winner-may-6-presidential-election-2024-05-16/ "Chad junta leader Deby declared winner of May 6 presidential election"], Reuters, 16 May 2024, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref>

Chad's economy combines agriculture, livestock raising, trade and petroleum production. Oil is particularly important to exports and public revenue, while agriculture remains a major source of employment and livelihoods. Economic development is affected by poverty, infrastructure gaps, climate shocks, insecurity in the wider region and the country's landlocked position.<ref name="WorldBankOverview">[https://www.worldbank.org/ext/en/country/chad "Chad"], World Bank, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref>

== Geography ==

Chad occupies a broad part of north-central Africa and has no coastline. Its territory covers approximately 1.284 million square kilometres. The country shares borders with six states: Libya, Sudan, the Central African Republic, Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger.<ref name="UNData" /><ref name="GeographyOfficial" />

Much of Chad forms part of the [[Chad Basin]], a large interior drainage basin. Elevation generally rises toward mountainous areas in the north and plateaus in the east. The [[Tibesti Mountains]] dominate part of northern Chad and contain [[Emi Koussi]], a volcanic mountain rising to about 3,415 metres and the country's highest point. The [[Ennedi Plateau|Ennedi Massif]] and the Ouaddaï highlands are major features of eastern Chad.<ref name="GeographyOfficial" />

The main permanent river system is found in the south and southwest. The Chari and Logone rivers flow toward Lake Chad and provide much of its inflow. Their valleys and floodplains are important areas for agriculture, settlement and livestock.<ref name="GeographyOfficial" />

=== Climate and ecological zones ===

Chad's climate becomes progressively wetter from north to south. National climate planning documents divide the country broadly into Saharan, Sahelian and Sudanian zones. The Saharan zone covers most of the north and receives very little rain. The central Sahel has a longer dry season with a shorter period of seasonal rainfall, while the southern part of Chad has a tropical savanna climate and receives substantially greater annual precipitation.<ref name="Climate" />

The differences in rainfall strongly influence settlement, farming and vegetation. Desert landscapes dominate much of northern Chad, while steppe and drought-resistant vegetation are characteristic of the Sahel. Grasslands, wooded savanna and agricultural land become more common farther south.<ref name="Climate" />

Climate variability creates significant environmental pressures. Drought, desertification and flooding affect water availability, agriculture and rural livelihoods. Severe floods in 2024 affected large parts of Chad, including areas of N'Djamena, after unusually heavy seasonal rainfall across parts of West and Central Africa.<ref name="WorldBankOverview" /><ref>[https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/river-flood-hit-chads-capital-surges-record-level-2024-10-09/ "River in flood-hit Chad's capital surges to record level"], Reuters, 9 October 2024, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref>

=== Lake Chad ===

[[Lake Chad]] lies on Chad's western side near the borders with Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria. Its area has varied greatly over time as a result of changes in rainfall, river inflow, evaporation and water use. The Chari-Logone river system is the principal source of surface water entering the lake.<ref name="GeographyOfficial" />

Lake Chad is economically important to communities involved in fishing, agriculture, livestock and trade. Environmental changes around the lake also have regional consequences because its basin extends across several countries.<ref name="WorldBankOverview" />

=== Natural heritage ===

Chad has two properties on the [[UNESCO]] World Heritage List: the [[Lakes of Ounianga]] and the [[Ennedi Massif]]. The Lakes of Ounianga, inscribed in 2012, comprise 18 lakes in an extremely dry part of northeastern Chad. UNESCO describes them as an unusual permanent lake system within a hyper-arid desert environment.<ref name="UNESCOChad">[https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/td "Chad"], UNESCO World Heritage Convention, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref><ref name="Ounianga">[https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1400 "Lakes of Ounianga"], UNESCO World Heritage Centre, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref>

The Ennedi Massif was added to the World Heritage List in 2016 as a mixed natural and cultural landscape. The region contains sandstone formations, canyons, rock shelters and extensive examples of ancient rock art.<ref name="UNESCOChad" />

== History ==

=== Early states and regional kingdoms ===

Human communities have lived around the Lake Chad basin and surrounding regions for thousands of years. Over time, trade routes linking the Sahara, the Nile region and areas farther south encouraged the rise of organized states. Among the most historically important were [[Kanem–Bornu Empire|Kanem-Bornu]], [[Bagirmi]] and [[Wadai]].<ref name="LOCStudy">[https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/master/frd/frdcstdy/ch/chadcountrystudy00coll/chadcountrystudy00coll.pdf "Chad: A Country Study"], Library of Congress, 1988, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref>

Kanem emerged northeast of Lake Chad and developed into one of the major political powers of the central Sudan. Its rulers became involved in trans-Saharan commerce and adopted Islam. Political and military pressures eventually shifted the centre of the state westward into Bornu. Bagirmi developed southeast of Kanem-Bornu, while Wadai became an influential state in the east. These kingdoms competed, traded and at various times exercised authority over surrounding communities.<ref name="LOCStudy" />

=== French colonial rule ===

French military expansion into the region intensified around the end of the nineteenth century. France gradually established control over the territory, although armed resistance continued in several areas. Chad became associated with [[French Equatorial Africa]], the colonial federation that also included territories corresponding to present-day Gabon, the Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic.<ref name="StateHistory">[https://2009-2017.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/chad/116353.htm "Chad"], U.S. Department of State, February 2009, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref>

Political changes after the [[Second World War]] increased African representation and local political activity within the French colonial system. Chad later became an autonomous member of the French Community before achieving full independence on 11 August 1960.<ref name="Independence" /><ref name="StateHistory" />

=== Independence and civil conflict ===

[[François Tombalbaye]] became the first president of independent Chad. His government faced growing political and regional opposition, and an uprising beginning in 1965 developed into a prolonged civil conflict. Tombalbaye was overthrown and killed in a military coup in 1975, after which political instability and factional fighting continued.<ref name="StateHistory" />

By the late 1970s, competing armed factions had weakened central authority. Libya also became directly involved in Chadian affairs, particularly in the north. [[Hissène Habré]] eventually took power in 1982. His government remained in office until 1990, when forces led by Idriss Déby entered N'Djamena and overthrew him.<ref name="StateHistory" />

Habré was later prosecuted before the Extraordinary African Chambers in Senegal. In 2016, the court found him guilty of crimes against humanity, war crimes and torture and sentenced him to life imprisonment. The appeals chamber upheld the conviction and life sentence in 2017.<ref name="Habre">[https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20170502/au-welcomes-appeal-outcome-hissene-habre-case-african-extraordinary-chambers "AU welcomes appeal outcome of the Hissene Habre case by the African Extraordinary Chambers"], African Union, 2 May 2017, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref>

=== Idriss Déby era ===

Idriss Déby took power in December 1990 and remained president for more than three decades. His period in office included constitutional changes, elections, armed rebellions and repeated security crises. Chad also became an important military actor in regional operations in the Sahel and Lake Chad basin.<ref>[https://www.dawn.com/news/amp/1619326 "Chad President Idriss Deby dies in battle, son takes over"], Reuters via Dawn, 20 April 2021, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref>

Déby died in April 2021 after being wounded while visiting troops fighting rebels in northern Chad, according to the Chadian military. A Transitional Military Council headed by his son, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, then assumed authority. The military initially announced an 18-month transition, although the transition was later extended.<ref name="Transition2021">[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/20/chads-military-announces-new-interim-government-after-deby-death "Deby's death and Chad's next day: This is what the army announced"], Al Jazeera, 20 April 2021, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref>

=== Transition and constitutional government ===

A constitutional referendum was held on 17 December 2023. According to official results, the proposed constitution received about 86% support. The constitution retained Chad as a unitary state. Several opposition groups boycotted or criticized the process, while the transitional authorities presented it as part of the planned return to constitutional government.<ref name="Referendum2023">[https://www.voanews.com/a/chad-votes-yes-to-new-constitution-backed-by-junta-/7410838.html "Chad Votes Yes to New Constitution Backed by Junta"], Reuters via Voice of America, 24 December 2023, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref>

The presidential election was held on 6 May 2024. On 16 May, the Constitutional Council declared Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno the winner with about 61% of the vote after rejecting challenges to the result. His principal opponent, then prime minister [[Succès Masra]], disputed the outcome. Déby was inaugurated as president on 23 May 2024.<ref name="Election2024" /><ref name="PresidentOfficial">[https://presidencetchad.org/president/ "Le Président"], Presidency of the Republic of Chad, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref>

Legislative, provincial and municipal elections followed on 29 December 2024. The [[Patriotic Salvation Movement]] won 124 of the 188 seats in the National Assembly. Several opposition parties, including Masra's Les Transformateurs, boycotted the legislative election and raised concerns about the electoral process.<ref name="Assembly2025">[https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/chad-ruling-party-wins-parliamentary-majority-provisional-results-show-2025-01-12/ "Chad ruling party wins parliamentary majority, provisional results show"], Reuters, 12 January 2025, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref><ref name="IPUAssembly">[https://data.ipu.org/parliament/TD/TD-LC01/election/TD-LC01-E20241229/ "Chad National Assembly December 2024 Election"], Inter-Parliamentary Union, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref>

Chad's first Senate elections were held indirectly on 25 February 2025. The Senate has 69 members: 46 chosen indirectly by provincial and municipal councillors and 23 appointed by the president. Its establishment made the national parliament bicameral.<ref name="IPUSenate">[https://data.ipu.org/parliament/TD/TD-UC01/ "Chad – Senate"], Inter-Parliamentary Union, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref><ref>[https://data.ipu.org/parliament/TD/TD-UC01/election/TD-UC01-E20250225/ "Chad Senate February 2025 Election"], Inter-Parliamentary Union, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref>

In October 2025, the National Assembly and Senate approved constitutional amendments that extended the presidential term from five to seven years and removed the previous limit on the number of presidential terms. The amendments were boycotted by some opposition parties and were promulgated on 8 October 2025.<ref name="WorldBankOverview" />

== Government and politics ==

Chad is a unitary presidential republic. The president is head of state, while the prime minister serves as head of government. Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno has served as elected president since May 2024, and Allamaye Halina has served as prime minister since May 2024; Halina was reconfirmed in the position in February 2025.<ref name="PresidentOfficial" /><ref name="GovernmentOfficial">[https://presidencetchad.org/gouvernement/ "Gouvernement"], Presidency of the Republic of Chad, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref>

The national parliament is bicameral. The lower chamber, the [[National Assembly of Chad|National Assembly]], has 188 members elected by citizens. The upper chamber, the Senate, has 69 members, of whom 46 are indirectly elected and 23 are appointed by the president.<ref name="IPUAssembly" /><ref name="IPUSenate" />

The constitution provides for executive, legislative and judicial institutions and for decentralised territorial government. Chad is divided administratively into 23 provinces, including N'Djamena, which has provincial-level status.<ref>[https://presidencetchad.org/tchad/constitution/ "Constitution"], Presidency of the Republic of Chad, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref><ref>[https://www.loc.gov/item/2025367690/ "Chad: administrative divisions"], Library of Congress, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref>

== Foreign relations ==

Chad joined the [[United Nations]] on 20 September 1960, shortly after independence.<ref name="UNMember">[https://www.un.org/about-us/member-states "Member States"], United Nations, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref> It was also among the African states that joined the [[Organisation of African Unity]], the predecessor of the [[African Union]], in 1963.<ref name="AUMember">[https://www.au.int/en/AU_Member_States "Member States of the AU"], African Union, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref>

The country participates in regional organizations concerned with political cooperation, economic integration and security. It is also a member of the [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation]], which records Chad as a member since 1969.<ref>[https://www.oic-oci.org/en/members "Member States"], Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref>

Chad's foreign and security policies have been influenced by conflicts in neighbouring countries and instability across the Sahel, the Lake Chad basin and Sudan. These conflicts have also produced large refugee movements into Chad and placed pressure on government services and host communities.<ref name="WorldBankOverview" /><ref>[https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2024/07/08/chad-world-bank-launches-an-economic-report "Chad: World Bank launches an Economic report"], World Bank, 8 July 2024, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref>

== Economy ==

Chad has a landlocked, commodity-dependent economy in which petroleum, agriculture and livestock are major sectors. The World Bank estimates that oil accounts for around 15% of gross domestic product, about 41% of government revenue and roughly 76% of exports. This reliance makes public finances and economic growth sensitive to changes in oil production and international prices.<ref name="WorldBankOverview" />

Agriculture remains central to livelihoods and the wider economy. Crop farming and animal husbandry employ a large share of the population, particularly in rural areas. Important activities include the production of cereals, sesame, gum arabic and livestock. Agricultural output is vulnerable to drought, floods, insecurity and infrastructure constraints.<ref name="WorldBankAgriculture">[https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/chad/publication/chad-economic-update-agriculture-livestock-value-chains-economic-diversification-growth "Chad Economic Update: Harnessing Agriculture and Livestock Value Chains to Foster Economic Diversification and Increase Potential Growth"], World Bank, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref>

The World Bank has identified economic diversification as a major long-term challenge, particularly because oil production is expected to decline over time. Improving agricultural productivity, livestock value chains, transport, services and the digital economy have been identified as possible areas for broader growth.<ref>[https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/chad/publication/chad-country-economic-memorandum-boosting-growth-and-reducing-vulnerability "Chad Country Economic Memorandum: Boosting Growth and Reducing Vulnerability"], World Bank, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref>

World Bank data estimated Chad's population at 21,003,705 and gross domestic product at about US$21.47 billion in 2025. GDP per capita was approximately US$1,022 in current dollars.<ref name="WorldBankData">[https://data.worldbank.org/country/chad "Chad – Data"], World Bank, accessed 26 September 2026.</ref>

== Demographics ==

The United Nations estimated Chad's population at approximately 21 million in 2025, with an average density of around 16.7 inhabitants per square kilometre. Population distribution is uneven, with much greater settlement in the south and around major water sources than in the Sahara-dominated north.<ref name="UNData" /><ref name="UNHRI" />

Chad is home to numerous ethnic communities and a high degree of linguistic diversity. A Chadian report submitted to the United Nations stated that the population is divided among 12 broad linguistic groups and that more than 200 languages or dialects are spoken. French and Arabic are the country's official languages.<ref name="UNHRI" />

N'Djamena is the largest urban centre and the national political and economic capital. Other important cities and towns include [[Moundou]], [[Sarh]], [[Abéché]] and [[Faya-Largeau]].

=== Religion ===

Islam and Christianity are the largest religions in Chad, alongside smaller communities following traditional beliefs or no religion. Chad's 2009 population census, as reported in a United Nations core document, recorded 58.4% of the population as Muslim, 18.5% as Catholic, 16.1% as Protestant, 4% as following animist beliefs and smaller shares in other categories.<ref name="UNHRI" />

Religious distribution varies geographically. Muslim communities are especially prominent in northern and central regions, while Christianity has a stronger presence in parts of southern Chad.<ref name="UNHRI" />

== Health and living conditions ==

Chad continues to face major development challenges in health, poverty, infrastructure, sanitation and access to basic services. World Bank data placed life expectancy at birth at about 55 years in 2024.<ref name="WorldBankData" />

Access to modern infrastructure remains limited in many parts of the country. According to World Bank indicators, about 13.4% of the population had access to electricity in 2024, while approximately 13% used the internet. The availability of services is generally lower in rural and remote areas.<ref name="WorldBankData" />

Humanitarian pressures have been intensified by conflict in neighbouring countries, especially Sudan. Chad has received large numbers of refugees and asylum seekers, adding to existing pressures from internal displacement, food insecurity and climate-related emergencies.<ref name="WorldBankOverview" />

== Culture ==

Chadian culture reflects the country's ethnic, linguistic, religious and geographical diversity. Cultural traditions vary considerably between nomadic and pastoral communities of the Sahara and Sahel, farming communities of the south, and populations in towns and cities.

Music, oral storytelling, dance, craft traditions and community celebrations form important parts of cultural life. French and Arabic are used in national administration and education, while many local languages continue to serve as the main languages of daily life within communities.<ref name="UNHRI" />

Archaeological sites and rock art preserve evidence of much earlier societies. The Ennedi Massif is especially known for rock paintings and engravings that document changing human activities, animals and environments over long periods. UNESCO recognizes the massif for both its natural formations and cultural heritage.<ref name="UNESCOChad" />

The [[National Museum of Chad]] in N'Djamena preserves collections connected with archaeology, history, art and the country's cultural heritage.

== Environment and conservation ==

Chad's ecosystems range from hyper-arid desert to Sahelian grasslands, wetlands and southern savanna. This environmental diversity supports wildlife and pastoral systems but is under pressure from land degradation, changing rainfall patterns, drought and human activity.<ref name="Climate" />

The Lakes of Ounianga are notable because permanent freshwater and saline lakes survive in an area receiving extremely little annual rainfall. UNESCO states that the property contains 18 interconnected lakes divided into two main groups and represents an exceptional hydrological system within the Sahara.<ref name="Ounianga" />

Conservation also takes place in national parks and other protected areas. Environmental policy is closely connected to water management, agriculture, pastoral livelihoods and adaptation to climate change.

== International membership ==

Chad is a member of the United Nations, African Union and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, as well as a participant in regional Central African institutions. Its international engagement often focuses on regional security, economic integration, development, humanitarian issues and the effects of climate change.<ref name="UNMember" /><ref name="AUMember" />

== See also ==

* [[N'Djamena]]
* [[Lake Chad]]
* [[History of Chad]]
* [[Geography of Chad]]
* [[Politics of Chad]]
* [[Economy of Chad]]
* [[Culture of Chad]]
* [[Central Africa]]
* [[Sahel]]

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

* [https://presidencetchad.org/ Presidency of the Republic of Chad]
* [https://www.worldbank.org/ext/en/country/chad World Bank – Chad]
* [https://data.un.org/en/iso/td.html United Nations Data – Chad]
* [https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/td UNESCO World Heritage – Chad]

[[Category:Chad]]
[[Category:Countries in Africa]]
[[Category:Central African countries]]
[[Category:Landlocked countries]]
[[Category:French-speaking countries and territories]]
[[Category:Arabic-speaking countries and territories]]
[[Category:Member states of the United Nations]]
[[Category:Member states of the African Union]]
[[Category:Republics]]

Draft:Chad - Revision history

HumptyDumpty: Creating Draft:Chad