Tuesday, Chad's President Idriss Deby Itno died following clashes with rebels, the army announced on state television. 

The Chadian army is currently fighting the rebel forces, who launched an attack on the capital, N'Djamena.

The announcement came just hours after electoral officials had declared Deby the winner of the April 11 presidential election. This paved the way for him to stay in power for six more years.

Army spokesperson General Azem Bermandoa Agouna said "Deby has just breathed his last [breath] defending the sovereign nation on the battlefield" over the weekend.

Monday, Deby's campaign said that the late President was headed to the frontlines to join troops battling “terrorists.”

Notably, the late President came to power in a rebellion in 1990 and is considered one of Africa's longest-serving leaders.