Chad’s Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS) won 43 of 46 senate seats in the country’s first senate elections, completing a political transition begun after Mahamat Idriss Deby’s ascent to power. Deby’s party also secured 124 of 188 seats in the lower house amid opposition boycotts and criticism of election credibility. Growing security concerns are evident, including threats from Boko Haram.
The Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), led by military leader Mahamat Idriss Deby, has achieved a significant victory by securing 43 out of 46 seats in Chad’s inaugural senate elections, as announced on Tuesday. This election, held in late February, concludes a political transition initiated when Deby assumed power following his father’s death four years prior.
Since his appointment, Deby has been fortifying his authority, having won a five-year presidential term in May amid an opposition boycott. International NGOs criticized the presidential elections as lacking credibility and fairness. The Constitutional Council of Chad later adjusted the senate seats, reallocating two to allied parties following formal objections.
In accordance with the recently released results, Deby promptly appointed the additional 23 senators required to finalize the chamber, which will represent various autonomous communities within the nation. This newly formed senate is a component of Chad’s bicameral parliamentary system introduced through a reform in 2020, which received ratification in a December 2023 referendum.
Additionally, during the legislative elections in December, the MPS secured a strategic majority, claiming 124 out of 188 seats in the lower house. It is noteworthy that both elections faced significant opposition boycotts, with dissenters labeling the outcomes as “pre-fabricated results.”
The context of these elections has been marked by escalating security issues, including assaults from the jihadist group Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region. Moreover, the recent cessation of a military cooperation agreement with France, the former colonial power, further emphasizes the complicated political landscape in Chad.
In conclusion, Chad’s MPS has solidified its dominance in both the senate and lower house of parliament, amidst strong opposition critiques regarding the legitimacy of recent elections. The consolidation of power by Mahamat Idriss Deby underlines a significant evolution in Chad’s political dynamics, set against a backdrop of increasing security challenges.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
