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Republic of Chad République du Tchad (French) | |||||||||
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| 1960–1975 | |||||||||
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Motto:
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Anthem:
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| Capital and largest city | N'Djamena 12°6′N 16°2′E / 12.100°N 16.033°E | ||||||||
| Official languages | French | ||||||||
| Recognised regional languages | Arabic | ||||||||
| Demonym(s) | Chadian | ||||||||
| Government | Unitary semi-presidential republic (1960–1962) Unitary one-party presidential republic under an authoritarian dictatorship (1962–1975) | ||||||||
| President | |||||||||
• 1960–1975 | François Tombalbaye | ||||||||
| Prime Minister | |||||||||
• 1960–1962 | François Tombalbaye | ||||||||
| Legislature | National Assembly | ||||||||
| Historical era | |||||||||
• Autonomy granted | 28 November 1958 | ||||||||
• Independence | 11 August 1960 | ||||||||
• Constitution promulgated | 28 November 1960 | ||||||||
• One-party state established | January 1962 | ||||||||
| 2 September 1965 | |||||||||
• First Chadian Civil War begins | 1 November 1965 | ||||||||
| 13–15 April 1975 | |||||||||
| Area | |||||||||
• Total | 1,284,000 km2 (496,000 sq mi) | ||||||||
| Currency | Central African CFA franc (XAF) | ||||||||
| ISO 3166 code | TD | ||||||||
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The First Republic of Chad[a] was the system of government in Chad that lasted from the country's independence on 11 August 1960, until the the 1975 Chadian coup d'état and the establishment of a military junta. During its existence, the nation initially started as a semi-presidential republic with François Tombalbaye serving as President and Prime Minister, with the ruling party being a coalition between the Chadian Progressive Party (PPT) and African Democratic Rally. In January 1962, however, Tombalbaye would ban all political parties other than the PPT and adopt a new constitution that abolished the head of government, becoming dictator. Much of the authoritarian practices under Tombalbaye would become recurring issues in future governments.
The First Republic was beset by a number of issues, including ethnic tension between the Muslim north and Christian south, thousands of political opponents being arrested and imprisoned, and attempts at rebellion. A tax revolt in Guéra Prefecture on 2 September 1965 would lead to the deaths of 500 people, later setting the stage for the Chadian Civil War which broke out in November between the Chadian government and protestors, later FROLINAT, FLT, and other rebel groups supported by Libya. The First Republic would ultimately end on 13 April 1975 after the Chadian Armed Forces rebelled, before subsequently overthrowing and killing Tombalbaye in a coup d'état, establishing the Second Republic under the Supreme Military Council (CSM).
History edit
Background edit
Chad had been a part of the French colonial empire since 1900 after the Territory of Chad was established, being governed under a part of French Equatorial Africa from 1910. In 1920, the colony was transferred to civilian control, and was the first overseas holding to join Free France under the administration of Félix Éboué.
In September 1958, a referendum saw Chad become an autonomous republic within the French Community and the Equatorial Africa federation being terminated in November. Gabriel Lisette led a loose coalition between the Chadian Progressive Party (PPT) and Chadian Social Action (AST) until it collapsed in 1959, with the PPT becoming the major political party under François Tombalbaye. On 11 August 1960, Chad gained independence from France, although the northern half of the country remained occupied until 1965.
Politics edit
The First Republic of Chad, in the 1960 constitution was a multi-party semi-presidential republic, with the prime minister as the head of government and the president as head of state. Following the adoption of the 1962 constitution, it became a one-party presidential republic, in which the president is elected for a seven-year term by a restricted electorial college composing of mayors, deputies, and municipal councillors and chiefs.
