President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday mourned the late Idriss Déby Itno, Chad’s President from 1990 until 2021.

Buhari was in the capital N’Djamena for the inauguration of an interim administration in the Republic.

General Mahamat Idriss Deby was sworn in as Head of the Transition Government to oversee the transition process.

President Buhari is the Chairman of the Lake Chad Basin Countries (LCBC).

At a meeting before the installation, he hailed Deby for earning the trust of the majority of Chadians to head the transition.

Buhari congratulated the Inclusive National Dialogue participants for their will to leave the path of instability to sustainable governance and development.

He expressed hope that the event will bring closure to “the painful phase of Chadian political history which led to the sad passing of late Marshal Idriss Deby.”

The Nigerian leader further commended Chad’s active engagement within the region.

Buhari said the involvement in the LCBC, MNJTF, the Sahel, and in the reactivation of the relationship with Sudan were exemplary.

The President hopes Monday’s inauguration will lead to peace in the country and the sub-region “in order to build on the gains of previous efforts”.