Chad is gearing up for its presidential election scheduled for May, with 10 candidates cleared to run while two strong opponents of the military government have been barred. The Constitutional Council in Chad rejected the applications of Nassour Ibrahim Neguy Koursami and Rakhis Ahmat Saleh due to “irregularities”, but approved interim President Mahamat Idriss Deby and Prime Minister Succes Masra.
The elections, set for May 6 and June 22, are part of a transition back to democracy in the central African nation. Chad has been under military rule, like many countries in West and Central Africa, with concerns of a democratic decline following multiple coups since 2020.
President Deby, who took power in 2021 after his father’s death, initially promised a transition to elections within 18 months but later postponed them until 2024, sparking protests. A new constitution was approved in December, allowing Deby to run for presidency, a move met with criticism.
Despite the turmoil, Deby confirmed his candidacy for the upcoming election, facing off against Masra who had fled the country but returned after a reconciliation agreement. However, some opposition parties have distanced themselves from Masra and one of the main opposition platforms, Wakit Tamma, called for a boycott of the election.
The recent assassination of General Yaya Dillo Djerou, Deby’s main rival, in a military assault on his party headquarters raised concerns about the electoral environment. Human Rights Watch has called for an independent investigation into the murder, prompting Prime Minister Masra to promise an international inquiry to determine responsibility.