History of Chad

Kanem Empire, 700 CE–1376 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Kanem-Bornu Empire was an empire based around Lake Chad that once ruled areas which are now part of Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, Libya, Algeria, Sudan, and Chad. The empire is believed to have been founded around the year 700, though later and earlier dates have also been proposed. The Duguwa dynasty ruled the empire from their capital Njimi in the Kanem region and used the ruling title mai. In the 11th century, the empire converted to Islam and the Duguwa were replaced with the Sayfawa dynasty.

Seat of power: Mao

Ouaddai Empire, 1635–1909 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Wadai Sultanate or Wadai Empire was an African sultanate located to the east of Lake Chad in present-day Chad and the Central African Republic. It emerged in the seventeenth century under the leadership of the first sultan, Abd al-Karim, who overthrew the ruling Tunjur people of the area. Abd al-Karim built his capital at Wara and founded the Kolak dynasty, and made Islam the state religion despite most commoners following traditional religions. In 1909, French troops invaded the Kingdom and established a garrison in Abéché, forcing the sultan to renounce his throne.

Seat of power: Abéché

French Chad, 1906–1960 Draft, not yet reviewed

Chad was a part of the French colonial empire from 1900 to 1960. Colonial rule under the French began in 1900 when the Military Territory of Chad was established. French forces succeeded in defeating Rabih az-Zubayr at the Battle of Kousséri in 1900. Chad distinguished itself in 1940 for being, under the governorship of Félix Éboué, the first French colony to rally by the side of Free France.

Seat of power: N'Djamena

Rulers

• Adolphe Deitte, Colonial governor of Tchad, 1928–1929

Republic of Chad, 1960 to today Draft, not yet reviewed

Chad, officially the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country in Central Africa. In 1960, Chad obtained independence under the leadership of François Tombalbaye. Resentment towards his policies in the Muslim north culminated in the eruption of a long-lasting civil war in 1965. After Déby was killed by FACT rebels in April 2021, the Transitional Military Council led by his son Mahamat Déby assumed control of the government and dissolved the Assembly.

Seat of power: N'Djamena

Rulers

• François Tombalbaye, President of Chad, 1960–1975
• Goukouni Oueddei, President of Chad, 1979–1982
• Lol Mahamat Choua, President of Chad, 1979–1979
• Hissène Habré, President of Chad, 1982–1990
• Idriss Déby, President of Chad, 1990–2021
• Mahamat Déby, President of Chad, 2021 to today