Gen. Mahamat Déby, the military dictator of Chad, will be sworn in as the transitional president on Monday, effectively extending his stay in power by two years per recommendations from the very divisive national inclusive dialogue process that wrapped up last week.
The negotiations were meant to determine Chad’s political destiny, but they were boycotted by various opposition parties, the Catholic church, and rebels responsible for killing Gen. Mahamat’s father, Idriss Déby, last year.
If the transition period is prolonged, the United States has threatened the reigning junta with penalties. Similar warnings were issued by the African Union to Chad over extending the transition period.
Gen. Mahamat has promised to implement institutional reforms such as a new constitution, electoral code, and election commission so that he can run in future elections.
Political tensions and a protracted uprising could escalate if there is no agreement on how to handle the transition.