Chad’s military ruler Mahamat Déby has been officially declared the winner of the presidential elections, solidifying his hold on power.
Gen Déby secured 61.3% of the vote, according to the state’s election body, with Prime Minister Succes Masra as his closest rival at 18.53%.
Masra had initially claimed a victory, stating it was “stolen from the people” when the provisional results were announced. However, after the official announcement, supporters of the ruling coalition celebrated in N’Djamena.
In his victory speech on social media, Gen Déby promised to serve all Chadians, acknowledging both his supporters and those who voted otherwise. He also expressed sympathy for the losing candidates.
Meanwhile, Masra had declared victory on Facebook before the official results, urging his supporters and security forces to oppose what he called an attempt to “steal the victory from the people.”
The election results, announced earlier than expected, await confirmation by the Constitutional Council.
Chad is the first among West and Central African countries where the military seized power to hold elections and restore civilian rule.
However, critics argue that little has changed with Gen Déby’s election.
The voting was largely peaceful, but reports of irregularities and one voter’s death surfaced. Ten politicians were excluded from running due to “irregularities,” leading to accusations of political motives.
Yaya Dillo, a potential opponent and Gen Déby’s cousin, was killed in February during an alleged attack on the National Security Agency.
Activists had called for an election boycott, and many remain in exile following a crackdown on opponents after 2022 protests.
Chad, an oil-exporting nation with nearly 18 million people, has not experienced a free transfer of power since independence from France in 1960. Gen Déby took power in 1990 and extended his rule until his death in 2021.
Source-BBC
