KEY POINTS
- Chad’s Patriotic Salvation Movement wins a two-thirds majority, strengthening President Déby’s political position during the constitutional transition.
- Opposition boycotts election, alleging bias; voter turnout reaches 51.56%, reflecting low engagement in a controversial poll.
- Déby shifts alliances from France to Sahel neighbors, aligning Chad with nations pivoting toward Russia amidst regional instability.
Chad’s Patriotic Salvation Movement (PSM) cemented its dominance of the country’s political landscape, securing a commanding two-thirds majority in the 188-seat parliament, according to provisional election results released Sunday.
The victory marks a significant consolidation of power for President Mahamat Idriss Déby as the Central African nation transitions to constitutional governance.
Chad election signals political stagnation
This latest election, held on December 29, marked a return to the polls after over a decade of political stagnation. Voter turnout reached 51.56 percent, signaling tepid participation in an election clouded by controversy. Opposition parties, including Success Masra’s Transformateurs, boycotted the process, citing allegations of bias and transparency failures—a claim the government has firmly denied.
Déby, who assumed power in 2021 after the unexpected death of his father, longtime ruler Idriss Déby Itno, has faced both internal and external challenges to his leadership. His party’s parliamentary dominance now places him in a stronger position to steer Chad through its constitutional transition, even as critics question the legitimacy of his mandate.
Déby’s strategic pivot in a changing Sahel
Beyond domestic politics, Déby’s geopolitical moves have drawn global attention. Chad, according to Reuters, recently ended its longstanding defense cooperation agreement with France, signaling a dramatic shift in alliances.
The country, once a key partner in Western-led efforts to combat Islamic insurgencies in the Sahel, is now aligning itself with neighbors like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso—countries that have pivoted toward Russia after severing ties with France.
The shift reflects a broader trend in the region, where anti-French sentiment has gained traction following a series of military coups.
Déby’s recalibration positions Chad within an emerging bloc of Sahel nations pursuing alternative security partnerships, underscoring the waning influence of Western powers in the region.
Navigating domestic challenges amid rising tensions
While consolidating international alliances, Déby’s administration is grappling with domestic unrest. Security forces recently thwarted what the government described as a “destabilization attempt” targeting the presidency.
The incident underscores the persistent security challenges and political dissent that threaten Déby’s authority even as he solidifies control.
As Chad navigates this complex intersection of domestic instability and shifting global alignments, Déby’s leadership faces mounting scrutiny.
With the ruling party’s overwhelming parliamentary majority, the coming months will reveal how effectively Chad’s president can balance internal pressures with his strategic vision for the nation’s role on the global stage.
