Hissène Habré

Chadian political leader

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July 16, 2026

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Hissène Habré was a Chadian political leader who served as the president of Chad from 1982 to 1990. His rise to power was marked by his leadership of the Armed Forces of the North (FAN) during Chad's protracted civil war. Habré's forces, with support from France and the United States, ultimately prevailed over rival factions, including those backed by Libya. He formed a new government in October 1982. Habré's presidency ended in 1990 when he was overthrown by Idriss Déby.12

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Idriss Déby
Early life and military service
He threw his support behind Hissène Habré, the head of one of the rebel groups who was then serving as prime minister, and emerged as a leader of Habré’s forces. Conflict between the various rebel groups vying for control of the government continued, and, buoyed by Déby’s military successes, Habré…
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He threw his support behind Hissène Habré, the head of one of the rebel groups who was then serving as prime minister, and emerged as a leader of Habré’s forces. Conflict between the various rebel groups vying for control of the government continued, and, buoyed by Déby’s military successes, Habré…
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Chad
Civil war
…of the North (FAN) of Hissène Habré, which had retreated into Sudan in December 1980, reoccupied all the important towns in eastern Chad in November 1981. Peacekeeping forces of the Organization of African Unity (now the African Union) withdrew in 1982, and Habré formed a new government in October of…
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…of the North (FAN) of Hissène Habré, which had retreated into Sudan in December 1980, reoccupied all the important towns in eastern Chad in November 1981. Peacekeeping forces of the Organization of African Unity (now the African Union) withdrew in 1982, and Habré formed a new government in October of…
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