kebzabo's primary support base is in mayo-kebbi. he was a candidate in the june 1996 presidential election, placing third with 8.61% of the vote; he then backed president idriss déby for the second round. after déby's victory, kebzabo became minister of foreign affairs in august 1996, serving in that position until he was named minister of state for public works, transportation, housing and urban development on may 21, 1997. he was elected to the national assembly as an undr candidate in the first round of the 1997 parliamentary election, although he remained in the government and did not take his seat.