Chad's Interim President Mahamat Idriss Déby Launches Presidential Campaign

N'DJAMENA, CHAD — Interim President Mahamat Idriss Déby officially commenced his campaign for the upcoming presidential elections in Chad, aimed at transitioning the country back to democratic civilian governance. The elections, scheduled for May 6, find Déby competing against nine other candidates, including the junta-appointed Prime Minister Succès Masra.

Speaking at his first campaign rally in the capital, N'Djamena, Déby, who is also a military officer, affirmed his commitment to the people. "You know me, I am a soldier and I hold my promises," he declared, as quoted by Reuters. During the rally, he vowed to enhance national security and ensure the continued peace and stability of Chad.

Despite the democratic intent of the elections, skepticism remains high, with some opposition figures denouncing the electoral process as "a farce." This sentiment is compounded by the violent death of Déby’s main rival, opposition leader Yaya Dillo, who was killed in a February shootout with security forces. Dillo had been accused by the government of instigating a lethal assault on the country's security agency, charges he denied.

Further stirring political tensions, the Constitutional Court last month disqualified 10 candidates, including two outspoken critics of the junta, from participating in the election.

Déby ascended to power in 2021 following the death of his father, promising an 18-month transition to democratic rule. However, the timeline was extended, leading to elections only being held this year. This delay sparked protests that were met with harsh responses from security forces.

As Chad approaches this critical juncture, the international community and local stakeholders are closely watching to see if the elections will indeed mark a significant step toward democratic governance or simply entrench existing power dynamics.