According to an order issued on Wednesday by military chief and acting president Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, veteran politician and former opposition leader Saleh Kebzabo has been named prime minister.
Idriss Deby Itno, Deby's father, was murdered in an operation against rebels in April 2021 and was succeeded by a junta led by his son, a 38-year-old five-star general. Former journalist Kebzabo, 75, ran against him four times for the president.
According to Deby's proclamation, Kebzabo has been "appointed prime minister."
Deby had pledged he would not participate in the next elections, and the junta initially stated it would restore civilian governance after 18 months in power.
But as the 18-month deadline neared, a nationwide forum staged by Deby reset the clock.
Last weekend it approved a new 24-month timeframe for holding elections, named Deby “transitional president” for the interim and declared he could be a candidate in the poll.
Deby was sworn in on Monday, vowing to name a “government of national union” within days.
The outgoing premier was 55-year-old political veteran Albert Pahimi Padacke, who had served for 18 months and had also been prime minister under Deby’s father.
He formally resigned on Tuesday along with his government.