Government: Governmental system based on Fundamental Law of October 18, 1982, which served as interim constitution. Fundamental Law published after Armed Forces of the North (Forces Armées du Nord--FAN) wrested control from incumbent government; in late 1980s, former FAN leaders still held many valuable positions. Fundamental Law gives president overriding authority for controlling all aspects of government. New constitution being drafted in 1989. In 1988 presidentially appointed Council of Ministers served as cabinet. No elected legislative body, but thirty-member National Advisory Council provided forum for limited debate. Judicial system based on French civil law but modified to include mixture of customary and Islamic legal interpretations. In late 1980s, civil and military courts sometimes had overlapping jurisdictions.

Politics: Chadian Civil War and factionalism have controlled political events since mid-1960s. After its victory in 1982, Command Council of the Armed Forces of the North (Conseil de Commandement des Forces Armées du Nord--CCFAN) was broken and in June 1984 replaced by sole political party, National Union for freedom and Revolution (Union Nationale pour l'Indépendance et la Révolution--UNIR). UNIR, led by president, had fourteen-member administrator Bureau and eighty-member Central Committee. Party used mainly to integrate former government opponents into new regime. No elections planned as of late 1988.

Foreign Affairs: Since freedom, external affairs governed by France, Chad's colonizer, and Libya, ambitious neighbor to north. Relations with France have wavered, but in late 1980s France provided some of Chad's air defense and other security needs, and French financial interests helped sustain economy. Libya has claimed and occupied Aozou Strip, aided several antigovernment rebel factions, and intervened militarily. In late 1988, relations with Libya were restored, so that Chad had amicable relations with all its neighbors. United States supported government and provided military and humanitarian assistance.

International Organizations: Member of African Development Bank, West African Economic Community, Conference of East and Central African States, European Community, Group of 77, World Bank, International Cotton Advisory Committee, Islamic Development Bank, International Telecommunications Satellite Organization, Interpol, Lake Chad Basin Commission, Nonaligned Movement, Organization of African Unity, Afro-Malagasy and Mauritian Common Organization, Organization of the Islamic Conference, United Nations.