General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, who has led Chad’s military regime for the last three years, will be sworn in on Thursday after a controversial election victory in the Central African nation.
Deby officially garnered 61% of the vote to defeat Succes Masra who resigned as Prime Minister on Wednesday after just four months in office. Masra scored just under 20% of the vote.
The swearing-in marks the end of three years of military rule in a country crucial for the fight against insurgency across Africa’s restive Sahel region.
Following Chad’s Constitutional Council refusal to annul the result, Masra admitted there was “no other national legal recourse” and called on supporters to “remain mobilised” but “peaceful”.
The President’s cousin Yaya Dillo Djerou, who emerged as the leading opposition figure was killed by the army after he was accused of being behind an attack on the headquarters of the National Security Agency.
Deby took power three years ago after rebels killed his father and many feel this election is an entrenchment of the Deby dynasty in power.
Chad is France’s last military foothold in the Sahel region, and President Macron was one of the few leaders to congratulate Deby on his election. The French President, who was in N’Djamena for the president’s father’s funeral in 2021, will be sending a delegation for the ceremony.
With several Sahel nations turning to Russia, the level of delegation Moscow sends will be closely watched.