Chad’s President Strengthens Grip on Power After Senate Victory
Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno has further solidified his hold on power, securing a dominant victory in the country’s recent senate elections.
Deby, who took charge following his father’s death and led a three-year transitional government, officially became president last May after an election marred by opposition boycotts and international criticism.
A One-Party Stronghold?
His ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), a party founded by his late father, claimed 124 out of 188 seats in the lower house of parliament after December’s elections. It now holds an overwhelming majority in the senate as well, taking 43 out of 46 available seats while also dominating the list of 23 appointed lawmakers.
This marks the first-ever senate elections in Chad, a country where the opposition has rarely been this absent from government institutions since the fall of Hissene Habré in 1990.
Opposition Dismisses the Election Results
While the government hailed the outcome as a step toward strengthening democracy, opposition figures remain deeply skeptical.
“We give no credit to anything from these elections,” said opposition leader Mahamat Zene Cherif, accusing the ruling party of orchestrating “prefabricated results.”
Max Kemkoye, spokesman for the Political Actors’ Consultation Group (GCAP), warned that Chad’s political climate could escalate into conflict, particularly after France’s military withdrawal in January.
Concerns Over Democratic Integrity
Political analyst Evariste Ngarlem Tolde noted that control over key institutions is essential for any president to implement their policies. However, he cautioned that such consolidation of power could lead to authoritarian rule.
Constitutional expert Ahmat Mahamat Hassan went further, arguing that Chad has “never” experienced a truly free and fair election, calling past votes “electoral masquerades” meant to legitimize power grabs.
Regional Tensions and Foreign Alliances
As the MPS government outlines priorities focused on peace, security, and reconciliation, Chad faces mounting regional challenges, including:
- Instability in neighboring Sudan
- Threats from Boko Haram insurgents
- Concerns over rebel activities
At the same time, Chad has been recalibrating its foreign alliances, moving closer to the UAE, Turkey, and Hungary after distancing itself from France.
As the ruling party cements its dominance, the big question remains: Is Chad on the path to stability—or deeper political unrest?
