Chad citizens vote today in a presidential election that should end three years of military rule and bring democracy, but instead it seems that they will consolidate the power of interim President Mahamat Idris Debi Itno, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
General Mahamat Idris Debi Itno, who seized power in 2021, suspended the constitution and was appointed chairman of the Transitional Military Council, is the favorite among the 10 candidates. He took over the central African nation when his father, who had ruled Chad with a firm hand since 1990, died of wounds sustained on the front line while visiting troops fighting rebels in the north of the country.
The huge country, with a population of about 19 million people, has not seen a peaceful handover of power since it gained independence from its former colonizer France in 1960.
Deby has promised that his presidency will be temporary until Chad transitions to a new, democratic government. However, he suppressed opposition demonstrations, and voters and observers doubt that the elections will be fair.