Chad’s military leader, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, has emerged victorious in the presidential election held earlier this week, securing a first-round win based on preliminary official results announced on Thursday evening.
The outcome further solidifies the longstanding control of Deby Itno’s family over the Republic of Chad. The election, which took place on Monday, marked a significant step towards ending three years of military governance in the country, which plays a crucial role in combating extremism in the Sahel region of Africa.
According to the ANGE electoral commission, Deby received 61.03% of the votes, surpassing Prime Minister Succes Masra, who obtained only 18.53%. However, these results are subject to confirmation by the Constitutional Council.
“I am now the elected president of all Chadians,” Deby declared in a brief televised address on Thursday, promising to fulfill his commitments.
Masra had previously declared triumph and cautioned that Deby’s team would manipulate the outcome.
Upon the announcement of the results, soldiers in the N’Djamena neighborhood where Masra’s party is headquartered fired their weapons into the sky. This act served as both a celebration of Deby’s victory and a deterrent to potential protesters. In response, some frightened individuals sought refuge or hurried back to their homes, causing the streets of the capital to quickly become deserted.
Meanwhile, near the presidential palace in central N’Djamena, Deby’s supporters expressed jubilation by shouting, singing, honking car horns, and firing their own guns into the air. Regrettably, at least two teenagers reportedly sustained injuries from falling bullets.
The victory of Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno underscores the ongoing political dynamics in Chad and the challenges facing the nation as it transitions from military rule to civilian governance.
