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Chad swore in Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno as the president on Thursday after elections were held on May 6.

Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno assumed power after his father, Idriss Deby Itno, died from wounds sustained on the front lines in the country’s north in 2021. He has since led a transitional government in Chad.

The recent election represented a significant milestone, concluding three years of transitional military rule and a return to constitutional order in the central African country.

In his first presidential address, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno said his government would focus on boosting Chad’s agricultural and farming sectors, and investing in education, access to water and healthcare.

“I’ve heard your yearning for change, and I’ve understood you. Let’s all play our part, individually and collectively, to bring about the change we all hope, desire and expect,” he said.