Chad interim president Deby and PM cleared for presidential election
Chad's Constitutional Council on Sunday approved 10 candidates for the upcoming presidential election, a significant step in the country's transition back to democracy following junta rule. Among those cleared are interim President Mahamat Idriss Deby and the recently-appointed Prime Minister.
The presidential election's first round is scheduled for May, marking a pivotal moment in Chad's political landscape since Deby assumed power in 2021 after his father's demise in clashes with rebels. Initially pledging an 18-month transition period to elections, Deby's government later postponed the polls until 2024, sparking protests that were met with force by security forces.
In December, a new constitution was endorsed by Chadians, a move criticized for potentially solidifying Deby's authority by permitting his presidential candidacy. Deby officially declared his intention to run earlier this month.
The list of candidates announced on Sunday also includes opposition leader Succes Masra, who was appointed as prime minister of the transitional government in January. This marks the first time in Chad's history that a president and a prime minister will compete in a presidential election.
Masra, a vocal critic of Chad's junta, had left the country following a deadly crackdown on demonstrations in N'Djamena in October 2022, where numerous lives were lost due to security forces' actions.
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