Type of government: republic
Capital: N'Djamena
Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular -
prefecture); Batha, Biltine, Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti, Chari-Baguirmi,
Guera, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mayo-Kebbi,
Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai, Salamat, Tandjile
Independence: 11 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 11 August (1960)
Constitution: 31 March 1995, passed by referendum
Legal system: based on French civil law system and Chadian customary law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: NA years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY (since 4 December
1990, after seizing power on 3 December 1990); note - transitional
government's mandate was scheduled to expire in May 1996; the first
round of presidential elections was scheduled for 2 June 1996, with
a runoff on 23 June if necessary
head of government: Prime Minister Djimasta KOIBLA (since 9 April
1995) elected by the Sovereign National Conference
cabinet: Council of State appointed by the president on
recommendation of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral
Higher Transitional Council (Conseil Superieur de Transition:
popular elections to the former National Consultative Council
(Conceil National Consultatif) were last held 8 July 1990; this body
was disbanded on 3 December 1990 by President DEBY and on 8 March
1991 replaced with the Provisional Council of the Republic having 30
members whom he appointed; this body, in turn, was replaced on 6
April 1993 by a 57-member Higher Transitional Council (Conseil
Superieur de Transition) elected by a specially convened Sovereign
National Conference; popular elections, formerly scheduled for April
1995, were initially postponed by mutual agreement of the parties
concerned until at least May 1996 and subsequently postponed until
after the rainy season (as late as October 1996); note - the name of
the anticipated new legislative body has not been announced