Chad’s electoral commission unexpectedly announced on Tuesday that it would hold presidential elections on May 6, ending three years of military rule, months earlier than originally planned.
The election will mark the return of constitutional order in the Central African country and the end of a transitional period for General Mohamed Idriss Deby, the committee said.
Deby, 37, became leader of Chad’s Transitional Military Council in April 2021 after his father, Idriss Deby Itno, was killed fighting rebels in the north. The rebels say they want to end Debi Sr.’s 31-year rule.
The younger Deby took over and promised to lead an 18-month transition committee, but in October 2022, he dissolved the committee and declared himself interim president.
It is unclear how many candidates will be on the May 6 ballot. But last month, Chad’s former ruling party, the Movement Patriotic Salvation (MPS), said Deby would be its nominee.
Some 127 opposition leaders met on Monday, a day before the election date was announced, to choose a candidate. They also decided to support Debbie.
Tajilal Ndolason, chairman of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Chad, attended Monday’s meeting and spoke to VOA by phone from N’Djamena. He said Deby kept peace in Chad by disarming rebel groups and providing basic needs such as water, education, food and employment to millions of suffering people.
Not all opposition leaders support Deby. Gilbert Ratou Barka, president of the Artisans of New Chad (ARNT), has announced his participation in the May 6 elections.
On Wednesday, Chadian state television reported that Deby was touring eight of Chad’s 23 provinces, including Logone West, Logon East, Mandour, Mayo-Keb Oriental and Mayo-West. Kebbi Province. The report did not give a reason for his visit.
Barka accused Deby of campaigning before the official campaign was launched.
Campaigning for the first round of the presidential election is scheduled to begin on April 14 and end on May 4. Barka said the ARNT wanted Deby to respect the electoral calendar and stop what he called illegal campaigning.
Barka said Deby had not visited civilians since the food crisis, rebel attacks on communities, floods and other humanitarian disasters over the past three months.
With his current visit, Barka said, Deby is manipulating civilians to maintain his grip on power.
Deby said in a message broadcast on Chadian state television on Wednesday that the election would be free, fair and transparent.
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