Chad’s President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno has been named the recipient of the 2026 African Peace Prize, an award recognising his leadership during Chad’s political transition and his response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict in Sudan.
The African Conference for Peace said the decision came after a detailed review of his work in promoting stability and protecting vulnerable populations.
The Prize Committee said Mahamat’s leadership was instrumental in preserving peace in Chad while allowing thousands of Sudanese refugees to find safety in the country’s eastern regions.
The organisation highlighted his efforts to maintain national cohesion and to use dialogue as a key strategy in resolving disputes.
The committee convened at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva under the guidance of the UN-mandated University for Peace. The meeting was chaired by Dr David Fernández Puyana and attended by Cheikh Al-Mahfoudh Bin Bayyah, alongside legal experts, human rights advocates, and international diplomats.
In their statement, the committee noted that the award followed a thorough review of nominations and analytical reports from African and international research centres.
These reports praised Mahamat for fostering national reconciliation and for guiding the country through a sensitive transition without letting tensions escalate into violence.
Since taking office, Mahamat has worked to bring together different political and social groups, address extremism, and curb cross-border crime. The committee also recognised his efforts to strengthen dialogue and collaboration among communities, ensuring that political challenges did not undermine national stability.
Humanitarian actions played a key role in the committee’s decision. Reports from the UN Refugee Agency and aid organisations operating in eastern Chad commended the government for keeping borders open to refugees from Sudan.
Mahamat ordered the unconditional opening of border points and set up humanitarian corridors in Adré, Tiné, Kornoy, Um Dukhun, Wadi Hawar, and Amdjarass. He encouraged local communities to host the displaced.
The committee noted that around 40 to 45 per cent of refugees have been integrated into host communities, with villages sharing homes, wells, and schools without compensation.
The United Nations described Chad as "a rare model of African generosity toward refugees despite limited resources," saying the rapid response helped save hundreds of thousands of lives.
The African Conference for Peace said the prize honours leaders who uphold human values, promote peace, enhance security, and support sustainable development. The award reflects the principles of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which envisions a continent guided by peace and cooperation.
