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Chad
Africa
Known as the "Dead Heart of Africa," Chad is landlocked with desert, savannah, and Lake Chad. Its economy relies heavily on oil and agriculture.
18,000,000
Population
1,284,000
Area (km²)
N'Djamena
Capital
26
Historical Events
Historical Timeline
Cities
26 Events
August 09, 2025 - Succès Masra is convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the May intercommunal violence.
August 02, 2025 - The burned remains of Fulbert Mouanodji, former chief of staff to the Ennedi Est governor, are found in Abéché, prompting investigations into suspected foul play.
June 05, 2025 - In retaliation, President DĂ©by suspends visa issuances to U.S. nationals, escalating bilateral tensions.
June 04, 2025 - U.S. President Donald Trump issues a proclamation barring Chadian nationals from entering the United States, citing security concerns.
May 16, 2025 - Opposition leader and former Prime Minister Succès Masra is arrested on charges of inciting hatred related to the Logone clashes, which ultimately claim 42 lives.
May 14, 2025 - A plane crash in Zakouma National Park during a rhino monitoring flight kills an environment official and a foreign pilot; separately, intercommunal clashes in Logone Occidental Province leave 35 dead and six wounded.
March 01, 2025 - The establishment of the Senate completes the new constitutional order, ushering in a bicameral parliament and concluding military rule.
February 25, 2025 - Senatorial elections are held, filling two-thirds of the upper house seats; the remaining third is appointed by the president, marking the formal end of the four-year political transition begun in 2021.
January 30, 2025 - France transfers its final base, the Sergent Adji KosseĂŻ air base in N'Djamena, completing the exit of French troops.
January 11, 2025 - France hands over control of its garrison in Abéché to Chadian forces as part of its full military withdrawal from the country.
January 08, 2025 - Armed assailants attack the Presidential Palace in N'Djamena, resulting in 18 gunmen and one soldier killed; authorities describe it as a foiled coup by "disorganized" individuals.
December 29, 2024 - Legislative and local elections see the ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS) secure a large majority, despite a widespread opposition boycott.
November 01, 2024 - Boko Haram attacks a military base in the Lake Chad region, killing 17 soldiers (96 attackers also reported dead); Chad revokes its defense cooperation agreement with France, facilitating the withdrawal of French troops.
October 01, 2024 - Unidentified gunmen kill 40 soldiers in an attack on a military base on Barkaram Island in Lake Chad; a separate Chadian airstrike mistakenly targets fishermen on Tilma Island (Nigeria side), killing scores of civilians.
September 01, 2024 - Nationwide flooding claims at least 341 lives, worsening food insecurity and infrastructure damage.
August 01, 2024 - Heavy rains cause severe flooding in the Tibesti Region, killing at least 54 people and displacing thousands.
July 01, 2024 - Chad repatriates 157 nationals detained in Libya, with additional flights planned to address migrant vulnerabilities.
May 06, 2024 - Incumbent transitional President Mahamat Idriss Déby wins the presidential election with 61% of the vote amid an opposition boycott; Succès Masra of Les Transformateurs finishes second with 18.5%.
March 01, 2024 - Seven soldiers are killed in a bomb attack near Lake Chad, attributed to Boko Haram militants.
December 17, 2023 - Voters approve a new constitution in a referendum, extending the presidential term to seven years and setting the stage for an end to military rule, though criticized for lacking inclusivity.
November 08, 2023 - Chad withdraws its ambassador from Israel, joining several other nations in a diplomatic protest.
October 18, 2023 - Defense Minister Daoud Yaya Brahim and the government's general secretary are dismissed following the leak of a compromising sex tape.
April 15, 2023 - The outbreak of war in neighboring Sudan triggers a massive refugee influx, with over 930,000 Sudanese fleeing to eastern Chad by year's end, straining resources and exacerbating humanitarian needs.
April 08, 2023 - Chad expels the German ambassador after he criticizes the government's delay of planned 2024 elections.
February 04, 2023 - Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) forces clash with approximately 2,500 Chadian rebels advancing from Sudan toward N'Djamena, highlighting cross-border security risks.
January 05, 2023 - The government announces it has foiled an "attempted destabilization" plot involving military personnel and human rights activists, leading to 11 arrests.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chad
100 Questions
Chad is in Central Africa, bordered by Libya, Sudan, the Central African Republic, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger.
The capital is N’Djamena.
Around 18 million people as of 2025 estimates.
French and Arabic are official languages; over 120 local languages are spoken, including Sara and Kanembu.
Varied: desert in the north, arid Sahel in the center, tropical savanna in the south.
The Central African CFA franc (XAF).
Vertical stripes of blue, yellow, and red.
N’Djamena, Moundou, Sarh, Abéché, and Kélo.
On August 11, 1960, from France.
François Tombalbaye.
Mahamat Idriss DĂ©by (as of 2025).
Chad’s president from 1990 until his death in 2021.
He was killed in 2021 while visiting troops fighting rebels.
A transitional military government (as of 2025).
Sara (south), Arabs (center), Toubou (north), and many others.
Islam (about 55%), Christianity (about 40%), and traditional beliefs.
Around $13 billion in 2025 estimates.
Around $700, among the lowest in the world.
Around 35%.
About 54 years.
About 6 children per woman, one of the world’s highest.
Around 70%.
Oil, livestock, cotton, and gum arabic.
Machinery, food, fuel, and manufactured goods.
Oil, gold, uranium, limestone, and salt.
In the early 2000s, with a pipeline to Cameroon.
The Chari and Logone rivers.
A historically large freshwater lake, now much reduced due to climate change.
It supports millions of people in Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and Cameroon.
Emi Koussi, a volcanic peak in the Tibesti Mountains (3,445 m).
A volcanic mountain range in northern Chad.
A desert plateau with rock formations and ancient rock art, a UNESCO site.
West Africa Time (WAT), UTC +1.
Millet, sorghum, maize, rice, cassava, and beans.
A porridge made from millet or sorghum, eaten with sauces.
Daraba (vegetable stew), kisra (flatbread), and fish dishes from Lake Chad.
Karkadé (hibiscus tea) and millet beer.
Football, basketball, and wrestling.
No, but its national team competes in qualifiers.
Yes, mainly in athletics and boxing.
Traditional drumming, modern pop, and Saharan-inspired music.
Drums, stringed lutes, and flutes.
Men wear djellabas or boubous; women wear colorful wrappers and veils.
They are central in farming, markets, and families but face inequality.
Around 25%, much lower than men.
Around 45%.
High, especially among youth.
Around 80%.
Millet, sorghum, maize, cotton, and groundnuts.
Cattle, camels, goats, and sheep.
Moderate but volatile due to oil dependence.
University of N’Djamena, University of Moundou.
Underdeveloped, reliant on aid and NGOs.
Malaria, HIV/AIDS, TB, cholera, and meningitis.
One of the highest in the world.
Also among the world’s highest.
“La Tchadienne.”
“Unité, Travail, Progrès” (“Unity, Work, Progress”).
The goat (widely symbolic in rural areas).
The ostrich.
Daraba (okra and vegetable stew).
Balancing democracy and long-term military rule.
A key military ally in fighting Boko Haram and Sahel insurgencies.
Terrorist attacks in the Lake Chad region.
It contributes troops to regional anti-terror missions.
France maintains troops and close ties.
Emerging partner in security and trade.
Major investor in oil and infrastructure.
Communities in France, U.S., Sudan, and Libya.
They send remittances to support families.
About 25%, with most people in rural areas.
Around $700 annually.
Low overall, concentrated in the south.
Still very high, though declining slowly.
It worsens food insecurity and migration.
Dependence on oil and vulnerability to price shocks.
High in solar.
Biomass (wood) and some oil.
Around 50%, better than older generations.
A blend of Arab, Saharan, and Sub-Saharan traditions.
Pottery, leatherwork, and woven mats.
A Wodaabe celebration where men adorn themselves and dance to attract wives.
Important for storytelling, celebrations, and rituals.
It contributes troops and supports regional initiatives.
Peacekeeping contributions and aid recipient.
Elephants, lions, antelopes, and camels.
Zakouma, Ennedi, and Aouk national parks.
A conservation success story with recovering elephant populations.
UNESCO World Heritage site with rock art and desert landscapes.
Independence Day, Gerewol, and local harvest festivals.
Dominant in the north and central regions.
Strong in the south.
Still practiced alongside Islam and Christianity.
Reducing malaria and maternal mortality.
Low enrollment, especially for girls.
Extremely low, under 20% in some areas.
Only about 2–3 years.
Volatile, linked to oil markets.
Dependent on peace, education, and diversifying beyond oil.
It is strategically located, resource-rich, and a key player in Sahel security.