Who was Gabriel Lisette in Chad’s movement toward self-government?

Gabriel Lisette was a pivotal figure in Chad’s transition toward self-government. A West Indian by birth, he served as the leader of the Chad Progressive Party (PPT).

Under the constitutional law of 1957, which granted a significant measure of autonomy to the territory, Lisette formed the first territorial government. His leadership was instrumental during the period leading up to the proclamation of an autonomous republic within the French Community in November 1958. Lisette was eventually removed from his position by his associate, N’Garta (François) Tombalbaye, who subsequently became the first president of the republic following Chad's attainment of complete independence on August 11, 1960.12