Chad - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Chad, it was named for Lake Chad, which lies along the country's western border; the word "tsade" means "large body of water" or "lake" in several local native languages. The Government system in this country is the presidential republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 23 provinces (provinces, singular - province); Barh-El-Gazel, Batha, Borkou, Chari-Baguirmi, Ennedi-Est, Ennedi-Ouest, Guera, Hadjer-Lamis, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mandoul, Mayo-Kebbi-Est, Mayo-Kebbi-Ouest, Moyen-Chari, N'Djamena, Ouaddai, Salamat, Sila, Tandjile, Tibesti, Wadi-Fira
National symbols
Goat (north), lion (south); national colors: blue, yellow, red.
The flag
The National flag of Chad has three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and red; the flag combines the blue and red French (former colonial) colors with the red and yellow (gold) of the Pan-African colors; blue symbolizes the sky, hope, and the south of the country, which is relatively well-watered; gold represents the sun, as well as the desert in the north of the country; red stands for progress, unity, and sacrifice.
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note: almost identical to the flag of Romania but with a darker shade of blue; also similar to the flags of Andorra and Moldova, both of which have a national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; design based on the flag of France
The National Anthem
| Title | "La Tchadienne" (The Chadian) |
|---|---|
| Lyric/music | Louis GIDROL and his students/Paul VILLARD |
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note: adopted 1960
More about the government of Chad
| Date of Independence | 11 August 1960 (from France) |
|---|---|
| National holiday | Independence Day, 11 August (1960) |
| Legal system | mixed legal system of civil and customary law |
| International law organization participation | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction |
| Constitution | |
| History | Several previous; latest adopted by National Transitional Council 27 June 2023, approved by referendum 17 December, verified by Chad Supreme Court 28 December, promulgated 1 January 2024 |
| Amendments | Previous process: proposed as a revision by the president of the republic after a Council of Ministers (cabinet) decision or by the National Assembly; approval for consideration of a revision requires at least three-fifths majority vote by the Assembly; passage requires approval by referendum or at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly |
| Citizenship | |
| Citizenship by birth | no |
| Citizenship by descent only | both parents must be citizens of Chad |
| Dual citizenship recognized | Chadian law does not address dual citizenship |
| Residency requirement for naturalization | 15 years |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | President Mahamat Idriss DÉBY (since 6 May 2024) |
| Head of government | Prime Minister Allamaye HALINA (since 23 May 2024) |
| Cabinet | Council of Ministers |
| Elections/appointments | president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 6 May 2024 (next to be held NA) |
| Election results | 2024: Mahamat Idriss DÉBY elected president; percent of vote - Mahamat Idriss DÉBY (MPS) 61%, Succes MASRA (Transformers) 18.5%, Albert PADACKE 16.9%, other 3.6% 2021: Lt. Gen. Idriss DÉBY reelected transitional president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Idriss DÉBY (MPS) 79.3%, Pahimi PADACKET Albert (RNDT) 10.3%, Lydie BEASSEMDA (Party for Democracy and Independence) 3.2%, other 7.2% |
| Legislative branch | |
| Description | Bicameral Parliament to replace unicameral National Assembly and to consist of: Senate - representing the Autonomous Communities - NA seats (members indirectly elected by electoral college of provincial and communal councilors for 6-year renewable terms) National Assembly NA seats (members directly elected by popular vote to serve 5-year renewable terms) |
| Elections | Last held for National Assembly on 6 May 2011 (first elections for new Parliament expected in late 2024) |
| Election results | 6 May 2011: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 64, women 29, percent of women 31.2% |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice, 3 chamber presidents, and 12 judges or councilors and divided into 3 chambers); Supreme Council of the Judiciary (consists of the Judiciary president, vice president and 13 members) |
| Judge selection and term of office | Supreme Court chief justice selected by the president; councilors - 8 designated by the president and 7 by the speaker of the National Assembly; chief justice and councilors appointed for life; Supreme Council of the Judiciary - with the exception of the Judiciary president and vice president, members are elected for single renewable 4-year terms |
| Subordinate courts | High Court of Justice; Courts of Appeal; tribunals; justices of the peace |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador KITOKO GATA Ngoulou (since 30 June 2023) |
| Chancery | 2401 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 |
| Telephone | [1] (202) 652-1312 |
| FAX | [1] (202) 578-0431 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] https://chadembassy.us/ |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Alexander LASKARIS (since 19 August 2022) |
| Embassy | Rond-Point Chagoua, B.P. 413, N’Djamena |
| Mailing address | 2410 N'Djamena Place, Washington DC 20521-2410 |
| Telephone | [235] 6885-1065 |
| FAX | [235] 2253-9102 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] https://td.usembassy.gov/ |
| National heritage | |
| Total World Heritage Sites | 2 (1 natural, 1 mixed) |
| Selected World Heritage Site locales | Lakes of Ounianga (n); Ennedi Massif: Natural and Cultural Landscape (m) |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Chad
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International organization participation
All Important Facts about Chad
Want to know more about Chad? Check all different factbooks for Chad below.
