The unexpected death of Chad’s president will impede the country’s involvement in regional counterinsurgency operations and may force France to intervene in order to avoid a violent power transition that would exacerbate security crises elsewhere in Africa. The Chadian army announced that long-time President Idriss Deby had been killed on April 19 while visiting the frontlines of the fight against a rebel group that invaded Chad on April 11. The army also announced the suspension of Chad's constitution, the dissolution of the government and National Assembly, and the creation of a transitional military council. Mahamat "Kaka" Idriss Deby, one of the late president's sons, will head the council during an 18-month transitional period. Deby had been in power since 1990 and had just won reelection on April 11.