Chad’s interim leader, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, has announced his candidacy for the country’s upcoming presidential elections in May. This comes just three days after his chief rival was killed under suspicious circumstances, adding more tension to the already politically charged Central African nation.Â
In a speech on Saturday, Deby declared, “I, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, am a candidate for the 2024 presidential election under the banner of the For a United Chad coalition.” This move marks the end of three years of military rule following the death of his father and longtime ruler, Idriss Deby Itno, who died fighting rebels in April 2021.
Deby had initially promised a return to civilian rule and held the intention to hold elections, but he extended the transition period by two years, despite opposition from various political parties. However, last week the country’s elections agency confirmed that the presidential vote would finally take place on May 6, following a December referendum that promised constitutional amendments.
Reports from Chad’s capital N’Djamena, highlighted that Deby’s initial focus was to stabilize the nation after his father’s untimely death and ensure continuity in the country’s governance institutions. He aimed to provide peace and stability to Chad and the entire region. However, Deby’s recent endorsement by a coalition of over 220 political parties and associations has clearly influenced his decision to run for the presidency.
The announcement of Deby’s candidacy has raised concerns among opposition groups, who question the fairness and legitimacy of the upcoming elections. They argue that the circumstances surrounding his main competitor’s death are suspicious, and they fear that Deby’s position as interim leader may unfairly benefit his campaign. Accusations of nepotism and an unfair advantage have been hurled against Deby in recent weeks.
Chad, a landlocked country in Central Africa, has a history of political instability and violence. The upcoming elections are seen as a test of the nation’s commitment to democratic processes and a peaceful transition of power. International actors and organizations will closely monitor the proceedings to ensure transparency and fairness.
The confirmation of President Idriss Deby’s candidacy in the upcoming elections has been overshadowed by a series of events in recent weeks that have raised concerns about the credibility of the upcoming elections.
These events include the raid on the headquarters of the main opposition political party, the demolition of the party headquarters, the killing of its leader, and the arrest of several other members of the political party. According to Idris, many people fear that these events could have an impact on the fairness and transparency of the elections on May 6th.
Adding to the controversy, one of President Deby’s main opponents, Yaya Dillo Djerou, was killed in a military operation in the capital, N’Djamena. Djerou, who was also the cousin of President Deby, died after troops attacked the office of his Socialist Party Without Borders. The PSF officials have accused the soldiers of carrying out an “execution” before the May vote, in which Djerou had planned to run as a candidate. The attack resulted in several people being injured.
The killing of Djerou has sparked outrage and calls for an investigation from human rights organizations. Human Rights Watch, in a statement, has called for an independent investigation into the politician’s death and questioned the readiness of N’Djamena for free and fair elections.
Lewis Mudge of HRW stated that while the circumstances surrounding Djerou’s killing are still unclear, his violent death highlights the dangers faced by opposition politicians in Chad, particularly as elections approach. Mudge also called on Prime Minister Succes Masra and other key national figures to publicly support an independent investigation to ensure greater accountability before the election.
The Chadian authorities have denied the accusations against them, stating that Djerou had opposed his arrest and had fired on security forces. However, the opposition and human rights organizations remain skeptical and are calling for a thorough investigation to uncover the truth behind Djerou’s death.
As the country prepares for the upcoming elections, the events surrounding the opposition and the killing of Djerou have raised concerns about the credibility and fairness of the electoral process in Chad.
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