Chad military dictator Idriss Deby win’s Presidential election

The Military dictator and interim president of the Central African Country of Chad, Mahamat Idris Deby Itno has won the presidential election held on 6 May 2024. The provisional result was declared by the country’s National Election Management Agency on 10 May 2024.

Mahamat Idris Deby to rule Chad for another six years 

Mahamat Idris Deby seized power with the support of fellow army generals in 2021 and became the interim president of the country after the death of his father, President Idriss Deby. President Idriss Deby was killed in 2021 by rebels in Northern Chad shortly after being elected President for the sixth time.

President Idriss Deby was a dictator who ruled the country with an iron hand  for 30 years from 1990 till 2021.

The election will legitimise the rule of Mahamat Idris Deby Itno for another six years.

Contested  Presidential Election in Chad 

According to the provisional election result, Mahamat Idris Deby Itno secured 61.03 per cent of the votes while his nearest rival, Prime Minister Succes Masra, got only 18.53 per cent votes. The result is yet to be confirmed by the country’s Constitutional Council,

The opposition candidate Succes Masra, has contested the result and has indicated that he might not accept the result. Succes Masra has alleged rigging of the election by the government officials to favour Mahamat Idris Deby Itno.

Many independent observers also doubt the freedom and fairness of the election.

Yaya Dillo, who was a cousin of Idriss Deby and a leading opposition figure, was killed by police just before the election  Many opposition leaders were disqualified from contesting the election due to alleged irregularities in their applications to campaign.

Chad is the first military-ruled country in the Sahel region of Africa where a democratic election has been held.

Sahel Region of Africa 

The Sahel or Sahil is an Arabic word which means coast or shore. It is a semi-arid region of western and North Central Africa stretching from Sudan in the east to Senegal in the west.

The Sahel region forms a transitional zone between the Sahara desert and the belt of humid Savannas grasslands to the north.

The United Nations has defined the Sahel region as covering 10 countries of  Africa, including Senegal, Gambia, Mauritania, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria.  The region is plagued by political instability, and insurgent groups are active in the region.

Republic of Chad 

Chad is a landlocked country situated in north-central Africa. It is the fifth largest country in Africa in area.

President is the head of the state and the head of the government in Chad.

The president has a six-year term, and a person can be president for only two terms.

Capital: N’Djamena

Currency: CFA franc 

President: Mahamat Idris Deby Itno