Chad military leader declares candidacy for May 6 presidential polls

This decision follows shortly after the sudden passing of his main competitor in a situation shrouded in mystery

Chad’s military leader Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno made a significant announcement Saturday, declaring his candidacy for the upcoming presidential election on May 6.

This decision comes just days after the unexpected death of his primary rival under unclear circumstances. Deby Itno, who ascended to power in 2021 following the passing of his father, the long-standing leader Idriss Deby Itno, has been at the helm of Chad for more than 30 years, establishing himself as an authoritarian ruler in the Sahel region. 

Initially heralded as a transitional president by the junta in 2021, Deby Itno had pledged a swift return to civilian rule and the organization of elections within 18 months.

However, he later extended the transition period by an additional two years, sparking widespread protests that were met with brutal repression by the security forces in October 2022. 

The timing of the announcement of the May presidential election, just two months before the scheduled vote, has raised eyebrows and fueled concerns about the fairness of the electoral process.

With his main challenger eliminated and the opposition effectively silenced, Deby Itno, 39, appears to be on a clear path to victory, as noted by Enrica Picco of Crisis Group. 

The recent tragic demise of opposition leader Yaya Dillo Djerou, who was allegedly killed by security forces at his party headquarters, has cast a shadow of doubt over the political climate in Chad.

Calls for an independent investigation into Dillo’s death have been made by international organizations, including Human Rights Watch, citing serious concerns about the environment leading up to the election. 

Deby Itno, speaking from the foreign ministry headquarters in N’Djamena, emphasized the pivotal role of the military in averting chaos during his rise to power in 2021.

Clad in all white and surrounded by supporters from the For a United Chad coalition, Deby Itno sought to portray himself as the stabilizing force in a tumultuous political landscape. 

The violent events surrounding Dillo’s death and the subsequent arrest of Saleh Deby, an uncle of Deby Itno, have not only deepened the fractures within the ruling family but have also exposed underlying tensions within the Zaghawa ethnic group, which has wielded significant influence in Chad for over three decades despite being a minority in the country. 

 Source: AFP