Chad’s junta chief, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, has emerged as the victor in this week’s presidential election, securing his family’s long-standing hold on power.
The provisional official results, released on Thursday, revealed that Deby won 61.03 per cent of the votes, defeating Prime Minister Succes Masra, who garnered only 18.53 per cent. These results await confirmation by the Constitutional Council.
Expressing his victory in a televised address, Deby pledged to fulfill his commitments and serve as the elected president for all Chadians.
Tensions ran high following the announcement, with soldiers in N’Djamena firing their guns in celebration of Deby’s win and to deter potential protests. Meanwhile, Deby’s supporters rejoiced near the presidential palace.
Masra, however, had earlier claimed victory, accusing Deby’s team of planning to manipulate the results.
The election, which saw a turnout of 75.89 per cent, also featured eight other candidates, with former premier Albert Pahimi Padacke securing third place.
Opponents had called for a boycott of the vote, citing concerns about its credibility. Masra, formerly a fierce critic of the regime, had joined forces with Deby as the prime minister earlier this year.
Deby, who assumed the transitional presidency in 2021 following his father’s death, has extended the transition period to democracy. Despite criticism and allegations of electoral malpractice, Chad remains a key ally in the fight against jihadism in the Sahel region.
