Chad Roundup: Presidential election, opposition cries foul, US withdraw troops

Peaceful election

Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, Nigeria’s Special Envoy to Chad, praised the patriotism and tolerance of the Chadian people and authorities ahead of the presidential elections on May 6, 2024. He urged the people to maintain peace and handle any complaints through peaceful means. Kingibe also assured continued support from the Lake Chad Basin Commission for the peaceful inauguration of a new democratic constitutional order in Chad, The News Diary reported.

Presidential election

Chad is voting for a new president in an election criticized for not being free or fair, following violence and repression. The current military leader, Mahamat Idriss Deby, is the main contender. Nationwide News reported that critics warn of human rights violations and question the credibility of the election. The country, one of the world's poorest, is eager for change but faces challenges with poverty and insecurity.

Opposition cries foul

Chad's presidential election is marred by accusations of a "dynastic dictatorship" following the ascent of incumbent President Mahamat Idriss Dirstt Itno, son of former President Idriss Déby. Opposition leaders have faced violence and several were disqualified from running. The process has been marred by political repression and doubts about its fairness, The Guardian reported. The election outcome is expected to maintain stability and the status quo in Chad, a key concern for the international community amidst regional security challenges.

Heatwaves and outages

Heatwaves and water shortages in Chad and Mali have exposed the struggle of junta-led countries to provide basic services. Outages and rising temperatures have increased frustration with military authorities, especially as both countries face political uncertainty. Critics say the upcoming presidential vote in Chad is a facade to legitimize the current leader's rule. Reuters indicated that in Mali, electricity outages since the 2020 coup have affected public support for the junta. The lack of basic services has led to excess deaths and raised concerns about the junta's governance.

US withdraw troops

The United States is withdrawing some troops from Chad as part of an ongoing review of security cooperation. Military Africa explained that the move comes after Russia has been providing security assistance in African countries, potentially impacting US counter-terrorism missions in the region. The US is also in discussions with Niger to withdraw over 1,000 American personnel as the political situation in Chad remains unstable.