Who became Chad’s first president after independence?

N’Garta (François) Tombalbaye became the first president of Chad following the country's independence on August 11, 1960.12

A southern trade union leader, Tombalbaye had previously been an associate of Gabriel Lisette, who had formed the first territorial government in 1957. Tombalbaye eventually replaced Lisette as the leader of the Chad Progressive Party (PPT) and went on to lead the nation as it transitioned into a one-party state by 1963.12