Chad’s navy ruler Mahamat Déby has been declared the official winner of the presidential elections, legitimising his grip on energy.
Gen Déby gained 61.3% of the vote, in line with the state’s election physique, citing provisional outcomes, whereas his closest rival, Prime Minister Succes Masra, gained 18.53%.
Mr Masra had earlier declared that he had gained a “resounding victory” within the first spherical of voting, and that victory had been stolen “from the individuals”.
Gen Déby, 40, was put in as Chad’s chief by the navy after his father, Idriss Déby Itno, was killed throughout a battle with insurgent forces in April 2021.
His victory implies that the Déby household’s 34-year-rule will proceed.
After the outcomes had been introduced, supporters of the ruling coalition stormed the streets of N’Djamena to rejoice Gen Déby’s victory.
In his victory speech posted on social media, he promised to serve all Chadians – “those that voted for me and president for individuals who made different selections”.
“I’ve a particular thought for the unlucky candidates who’ve misplaced the competitors.”
Simply earlier than the election outcomes had been introduced, Prime Minister Masra claimed victory in a reside broadcast on Fb, and referred to as on his supporters and safety forces to oppose what he mentioned was an try by Gen Déby to “steal the victory from the individuals”.
“A small variety of people consider they will make individuals consider that the election was gained by the identical system that has been ruling Chad for many years,” he mentioned.
“To all Chadians who voted for change, who voted for me, I say: mobilise. Do it calmly, with a spirit of peace,” he added.
The outcomes of Monday’s election had been introduced two weeks sooner than anticipated.
They nonetheless must be confirmed by the Constitutional Council.
Chad turns into the primary of the nations the place the navy seized energy in West and Central Africa lately to carry elections and restore civilian rule.
However critics say with the election of Gen Déby, little has modified.
Monday’s voting was largely peaceable however at the least one voter was killed, in line with native media.
There had additionally been some opposition reviews of irregularities on polling day.
Ten politicians who had been hoping to run had been excluded by the constitutional council due to “irregularities”, which some say was politically motivated.
One other potential opponent, and a cousin of Gen Déby, Yaya Dillo, was killed by safety forces in February whereas allegedly main an assault on the Nationwide Safety Company within the capital, N’Djamena.
Activists had referred to as for a boycott of the election.
Many are nonetheless in exile following a lethal crackdown on opponents following protests in October 2022.
The oil-exporting nation of almost 18 million individuals has not had a free-and-fair switch of energy since independence from France in 1960.
Idriss Déby overthrew Hissène Habré in 1990 and remained in cost for the next three a long time till his battlefield loss of life in April 2021 on the age of 68.
Gen Déby initially pledged to remain as interim chief for simply 18 months, a interval that was later prolonged. He additionally mentioned that he wouldn’t run for president.
