Passion or Profession: President

Period: 1944–

Oueddei led a rebel movement opposed to the rule of Chad's first president, Nagarta (François) Tombalbaye. After Tombalbaye's assassination in 1975, General Félix Malloum took power. Factional violence spread, and Malloum was deposed in 1979, allowing Oueddei to assume the presidency. Backed by Libya, President Oueddei fought against the forces of rebel leader Hissène Habré, who ousted Oueddei in 1982. Oueddei was exiled but returned to oppose Habré's government.