Nigeri president Mohamed Bazoum (right) meets AU chief Faki Mahamat in N'Djamena
Foreign leaders arrived in Chad on Thursday for the funeral of slain president Idriss Deby as France backed the new military leaders in the face of rebel threats to resume an offensive on the capital N’Djamena.
Among others, presidents from the subregion have touched down in the capital with some more expected this morning for the Deby's funeral.
The most notable world leader attending is Emmanuel Macron of France whose attendance was confirmed by Elysee Palace earlier this week.
As of Thursday evening, local news portal, Tchad Infos, reported that the following presidents were in town.
Bah N'Daw - Head of Mali's transitional government
Mohamed Ould Ghazouani - Mauritania president
Alpha Conde - Guinea president
Mohamed Bazoum - Niger president
Rose Christinna Ossouka - Gabon Prime Minister
Moussa Faki Mahamat - AU Commission Chairperson, himself a Chadian
The BBC reports that after the military honours and various speeches, a prayer will be said at the Grand Mosque of N'Djamena.
Then, in the early afternoon, Mr Déby's body will be flown to Amdjarass, a small village next to his hometown of Berdoba, more than 1,000km (621 miles) from the capital, near the Sudanese border.
President Déby was a key player in security strategy in the Sahel region.
