Ndjamena, Chad – Mahamat Déby, the military ruler of Chad, has been declared the official winner of the presidential elections, solidifying his hold on power. Declared the victor with 61.3% of the vote, Gen Déby’s closest rival, Prime Minister Succes Masra, garnered 18.53%, according to the state’s election body referencing provisional results.
The 40-year-old Gen Déby assumed leadership of Chad after his father, Idriss Déby Itno, was killed in a skirmish with rebel forces in April 2021. His victory ensures the continuation of the Déby family’s 34-year rule. Following the announcement of the results, supporters of the ruling coalition took to the streets of N’Djamena to celebrate Gen Déby’s win.
In his victory speech shared on social media, Gen Déby pledged to serve all Chadians, regardless of their voting preferences. Prime Minister Masra, on the other hand, had previously claimed victory in the first round of voting, alleging that the victory had been “stolen” from the people by Gen Déby.
While Monday’s voting in Chad was largely peaceful, there were reports of irregularities on polling day, as well as the exclusion of ten politicians hoping to run due to “irregularities” deemed politically motivated by some. Additionally, one voter was reported killed, and there were opposition claims of irregularities during the election.
Chad, an oil-exporting country with a population of nearly 18 million, has not seen a free and fair transfer of power since gaining independence from France in 1960. The country has a history of political unrest and crackdowns on opposition, with the recent election seen as a continuation of the status quo by critics.