nly
referred to as "southerners" (Sara, Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye,
Moundang, Moussei, Massa) including nonindigenous 150,000 (of whom
1,000 are French)

note: ethnicity and regional background more commonly used to
identify Chadians than religious affiliation

Religions: Muslim 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs (mostly
animism) 25%

Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Sara and Sango (in
south), more than 100 different languages and dialects

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write French or
Arabic

total population: 48.1%

male: 62.1%

female: 34.7% (1995 est.)

Chad Government

Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Chad

conventional short form: Chad

local long form: Republique du Tchad

local short form: Tchad

Government type: republic

Capital: N'Djamena

Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular -
prefecture); Batha, Biltine, Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti, Chari-Baguirmi,
Guera, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mayo-Kebbi,
Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai, Salamat, Tandjile

Independence: 11 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday: Independence Day, 11 August (1960)

Constitution: passed by referendum 31 March 1995

Legal system: based on French civil law system and Chadian customary
law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY
(since 4 December 1990)

head of government: Prime Minister Nagoum YAMASSOUM (since 13
December 1999)

cabinet: Council of State, members appointed by the president on
the recommendation of the prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote to serve five-year
term; if no candidate receives at least 50% of the total vote, the
two candidates receiving the most votes must stand for a second
round of voting; last held 20 May 2001 (next to be held NA 2006);
prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY elected president; percent
of vote - Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY 63%, Ngarlegy YORONGAR 16%, Saleh
KEBZABO 7%

note: government coalition - MPS, UNDR, and URD

Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (125 seats; members
elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); replaces the
Higher Transitional Council or the Conseil Superieur de Transition

elections: National Assembly - last held in two rounds on 5 Ja