Chad reshuffles cabinet as Moussa Faki takes over as AU chair

Chad’s President Idriss Déby Itno announced on Sunday a major cabinet reshuffle which sees the entry to the government of several new personalities including filmmaker Mahamat Saleh Haroun and the current ambassador of Chad in France.

The reshuffle was widely expected after the departure of Foreign Minister Moussa Faki Mahmat who was elected the chairman of the African Union (AU) commission last week, and the recent dismissal of Finance and Budget Minister Mbogo Ngabo Selil.

Hissein Brahim Taha who is the current Ambassador of Chad in Paris will now head the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mahamat Saleh Haroun who was awarded the jury prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2010 for “A man who screams” as been entrusted with the Ministry of Artisanal and Cultural Tourism Development. He is also the author of a documentary presented in Cannes this year of Idriss Déby’s predecessor, titled “Hissène Habré, a Chadian tragedy”.

Habré was sentenced in May for crimes against humanity by a special African court. He has however filed an appeal which will be ruled on 27 April.

The Ministry of Finance has been entrusted to Christine Georges Diguibaye, currently an official with the African Union in Addis Ababa, while the Ministry of Economy and Development Planning will be run by Ngueto Yambaye, a former official of the International Monetary Fund.

Former clerk, Ahmat Mahamat Hassan, has been appointed Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals.

Chadian government has 38 members: 28 ministers and 19 secretaries of state. The strategic ministries of Defense and Homeland Security retain the same incumbents.