The military leader of Chad, Mahamat Déby, has clinched victory in the presidential elections, solidifying his hold on authority.
General Déby secured 61.3% of the ballots, as per the state’s electoral commission’s preliminary results, while his nearest contender, Prime Minister Succes Masra, garnered 18.53%.
Masra had previously asserted a triumphant win in the initial voting round, accusing the outcome of being pilfered “from the populace.”
At 40, Gen Déby ascended to Chad’s helm through military channels following the demise of his father, Idriss Déby Itno, in a skirmish with insurgent forces in April 2021.
His triumph ensures the continuation of the Déby dynasty’s 34-year reign.
Following the announcement, backers of the ruling coalition flooded the streets of N’Djamena to jubilate Gen Déby’s victory.
In his social media broadcast accepting victory, he pledged to represent all Chadians, irrespective of their voting preference.
“I extend my heartfelt sympathy to the unsuccessful candidates,” he said.
Moments before the election outcome was revealed, Prime Minister Masra proclaimed his triumph via a live Facebook broadcast, urging his supporters and security personnel to resist what he deemed an endeavor by Gen Déby to “usurp the people’s victory.”
“A select few believe they can manipulate the public into thinking that the same regime which has governed Chad for decades won the election,” he remarked.
“To all Chadians advocating for change, who voted for me, I urge you: rally. Do so peacefully,” he added.
The election results were disclosed two weeks ahead of schedule and await confirmation by the Constitutional Council.
Chad becomes the first among the West and Central African nations where military regimes have seized power in recent times to conduct elections and reinstate civilian governance.
However, critics argue that little has altered with Gen Déby’s election.
While Monday’s voting was largely uneventful, there were reports from local media of at least one voter fatality.
Opposition groups also raised concerns about irregularities on polling day.
Ten aspiring candidates were barred from running by the constitutional council due to “irregularities,” which some allege were politically motivated.
Another prospective adversary, and a relative of Gen Déby, Yaya Dillo, was killed by security forces in February during an alleged assault on the National Security Agency headquarters in N’Djamena.
Activists had urged a boycott of the election, with many still living in exile following a violent crackdown on dissenters after protests erupted in October 2022.
The oil-exporting nation, home to nearly 18 million people, has not witnessed a peaceful transfer of power since gaining independence from France in 1960.
Idriss Déby ousted Hissène Habré in 1990 and remained at the helm for the subsequent three decades until his death on the battlefield in April 2021 at the age of 68.
Initially pledging to serve as interim leader for only 18 months, Gen Déby later extended his tenure and reneged on his promise not to contest the presidency.
