He had led a brigade against rebels in the North of the country.

Debt, who is 68-year-old died a day after he was proclaimed the winner of a presidential election for his sixth term in office.

Army spokesman, General Azem Bermandoa Agouna confirmed his death on the state TV on Tuesday.

The army said Deby had been commanding his army at the weekend as it battled against rebels who had launched a major incursion into the north of the country on election day.

Deby “has just breathed his last breath defending the sovereign nation on the battlefield,” the army said.