Chad Holds Historic General Election After Three Years of Military Rule
Chadians went to the polls on December 29, 2024, to cast their ballots in the country's first general election since the military took power three years ago. This historic election marks a significant milestone in Chad's transition to democracy, following years of authoritarian rule and military intervention.
The election was initially scheduled for 2015 but was repeatedly postponed due to various reasons, including a lack of funds, security concerns, and the COVID-19 pandemic ¹. The delay led to widespread criticism and opposition from various groups, who accused the government of attempting to maintain its grip on power.
Despite these challenges, the National Election Management Agency (ANGE) announced that the parliamentary and local elections would finally take place on December 29, 2024. The submission of candidacies ran from October 19 to 28, 2024, with a total of 179 political parties and coalitions participating in the election ¹.
The election has been marred by several controversies, including concerns over the impartiality of the electoral commission and the disqualification of several opposition candidates. The country's largest opposition party, Les Transformateurs, and 15 other opposition parties, announced that they would boycott the election, citing concerns about a "corrupt" electoral register and a lack of guarantees that the election would be free and fair ¹.
Chad has a long history of authoritarian rule and military intervention. The country gained independence from France in 1960, but has since experienced numerous coups and periods of instability. The current military leadership, led by Mahamat Idriss Déby, took power in 2021 following the death of his father, former President Idriss Déby ².
The transition to democracy has been slow and challenging, with many opposition groups and civil society organizations expressing concerns about the military's commitment to democratic reforms. However, the holding of this general election marks a significant step towards the restoration of democratic rule in Chad.
The international community has been closely monitoring the situation in Chad, with many organizations and countries expressing support for the country's transition to democracy. The African Union and the European Union have both deployed election observation missions to Chad to monitor the electoral process and ensure its integrity.
As the people of Chad await the outcome of this historic election, many are hopeful that it will mark a new era of peace, stability, and democratic governance in the country. The international community will be watching closely to ensure that the election is free, fair, and transparent, and that the will of the Chadian people is respected.
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