Chad’s Military Ruler Mahamat Deby Emerges Victorious In Presidential Election

The result of the Monday presidential election in Chad has been announced declaring military ruler Mahamat Deby as the official winner.

The results of Monday’s election were announced two weeks earlier than expected. They still have to be confirmed by the Constitutional Council.

 According to the state’s election body, using the provisional results states that Gen Déby had 61.3% of the vote, and the other candidate Prime Minister Succes Masra, had 18.53%.

Mr Masra previously said that he had already won a “resounding victory” in the initial round of voting and that victory was taken “from the people.”

40 years old, General Déby took over as Chad’s leader following the death of his father, Idriss Déby Itno, during a clash with rebel forces in April 2021, this was by the military.

After the results were announced, supporters of the ruling coalition stormed the streets of N’Djamena to celebrate Gen Déby’s victory.

On social media, Deby posted a victory speech stating howbe promises to serve all Chadians “those who voted for me and president for those who made other choices.”

“I have a special thought for the unfortunate candidates who have lost the competition.”

“A small number of individuals believe they can make people believe that the election was won by the same system that has been ruling Chad for decades.”

He further said “To all Chadians who voted for change, who voted for me, I say: mobilise. Do it calmly, with a spirit of peace.”

Chad becomes the first of the countries where the military seized power in West and Central Africa in recent years to hold elections and restore civilian rule.

Critics contend that there has been little alteration with the election of Gen Déby. Although Monday’s voting proceeded mostly without incident, local media sources indicate that at least one voter lost their life.

Opposition sources also raised concerns about irregularities during the polling process. The Constitutional Council excluded ten politicians from running due to “irregularities,” which some believe was politically driven.

Yaya Dillo, a cousin of Gen Deby who was said to be leading an assault on the National Security Agency headquarters in the capital, N’Djamena, he was a possible challenger who was killed in February by the security forces.

Activists had urged people not to participate in the election as a form of protest or to express their dissatisfaction with the electoral process or candidates.

Many are still in exile following a deadly crackdown on opponents following protests in October 2022.

Chad, an oil-exporting country with close to 18 million people has not had a democratic and equitable transfer of power since independence in 1960.

Idriss Déby seized power from Hissène Habré in 1990 and held onto control for the subsequent 3 decades until his death on the battlefield in April 2021 at the age of 68. Initially, General Déby committed to serving as interim leader for only 18 months, but this period was later prolonged. Additionally, he declared that he would not seek the presidency.

Nancy Mbamalu 

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