This is a list of heads of state of Chad since the country gained independence from France in 1960 to the present day. A total of six people have served as head of state of Chad (not counting two Interim Heads of State). Additionally, one person, Goukouni Oueddei, has served on two non-consecutive occasions. The current head of state of Chad is Mahamat Déby, since 20 April 2021, when he took power in a military coup following the death of his father, President Idriss Déby. Mahamat Déby was President of the Transitional Military Council, a military junta, from 20 April 2021 until 10 October 2022, when he was sworn is as Transitional President of the Republic following a "national dialogue". On 6 May 2024, Déby won the presidential election and was proclaimed President on 23 May.

Term limits

In 2018, the new Constitution of Chad reinstated two-term limits for the president. It also changed the length of the term from five years to six years. However, in 2023, a constitutional referendum was held which changed the length of the term from six years back to five years and which also lowered the minimum age for the presidency from 40 down to 35.

Titles

List of officeholders

{{legend||Chadian Progressive Party (PPT) → National Movement for the Cultural and Social Revolution (MNRCS)|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend|Crimson|National Liberation Front of Chad (FROLINAT)–People's Armed Forces (FAP)|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend|Salmon|Popular Movement for the Liberation of Chad (MPLT)|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend||Armed Forces of the North (FAN) / National Union for Independence and Revolution (UNIR)|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend||Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS)|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend||Military (Chadian Armed Forces and Chad National Army)|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend|#E6E6AA|Interim Head of State|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} Constitutional referendum

Timeline

Latest election