Rebels in northern Chad say they are ready to observe a ceasefire and to discuss a political settlement after the battlefield death of President Idriss Deby last week.

The rebels, known as the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT), came over the northern border from Libya on April 11 calling for an end to Deby’s 30-year rule.

They came as close as 200-300km from the capital, N’Djamena, before being pushed back by the army.

Deby was killed on Monday while visiting troops at the front, just after he won an election.

His death shocked the country, which has long been a Western and regional ally against armed groups they call “Islamist militants”.

Veronic Njie reports.