afrol News, 27 February - The Central African state of Chad was thrown into a sombre mood yesterday, as the country's former Prime Minister was laid in state in the capital N'Djamena. Pascal Yoadimnadji died of a brain haemorrhage last Friday in a Paris hospital, where he was urgently airlifted for treatment against heart attack.

Mr Yoadimnadji, 56, had headed the Chadian government since February 2005. Before that, he had held several government positions, latest as Minister of Agriculture. Reacting to his sudden death, the government issued a statement calling him "a great statesman" and saying his passing away was "a big loss" for the country.

Shortly after the funeral of the deceased Prime Minister, the Chadian leader, President Idriss Déby, yesterday afternoon named Delwa Kassiré Coumakoye as the new head of government.

Mr Coumakoye heads the pro-government National Rally for Development and Progress (RNDP) party. He ran against President Déby in the 1996 and 2001 polls and was ranked second.

Mr Coumakoye also held the premier post between 1994 and 1996 and also became the head of the Parliament Commission for Foreign and International Cooperation until 2004.

Until his yesterday elevation, Mr Coumakoye was the Minister for Territorial Administration in the government of Mr Yoadimnadji.

President Déby himself, has been in power since a 1990 military coup.

By staff writers

© afrol News

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