Chad’s Patriotic Salvation Movement, led by Mahamat Idriss Deby, won 43 out of 46 Senate seats in the inaugural elections, marking a significant political transition. Deby, having secured a five-year presidential term, is consolidating power as international groups criticize the electoral process. The newly formed Senate complements the bicameral parliament established by recent constitutional reforms, amid rising security challenges.
The Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), led by Chad’s military leader Mahamat Idriss Deby, has achieved a remarkable victory by winning 43 out of 46 seats in the nation’s inaugural senate elections, according to results published on Tuesday. This senatorial election, conducted in late February, signifies the concluding step of a political transition initiated four years ago following the death of Deby’s father.
President Deby has maintained a firm grip on power, having secured a five-year term in last May’s presidential election, which was largely boycotted by opposition groups. The legitimacy of this election has been challenged, with international NGOs labeling it as “neither free nor credible.” The Constitutional Council of Chad confirmed that two seats originally assigned to the MPS were redistributed to allied parties after several appeals.
Following the announcement of the election results, President Deby appointed the remaining 23 senators needed to complete the legislative chamber, which aims to represent the country’s autonomous communities. This newly formed Senate is part of Chad’s bicameral parliament, established through a reform in 2020 and subsequently ratified by a constitutional referendum in December 2023.
The MPS also demonstrated dominance in December’s legislative elections, successfully securing 124 out of 188 seats in the lower house amidst significant opposition boycotts, which were characterized by dissent regarding the alleged fabrication of election results. These elections occurred amid escalating security challenges, including actions by the Boko Haram jihadist group in the Lake Chad area and the recent termination of a military alliance with France, its former colonial ruler.
In summary, the Patriotic Salvation Movement’s overwhelming success in both the Senate and legislative elections underscores Mahamat Idriss Deby’s consolidation of power. Despite significant opposition boycotts and international criticism regarding the legitimacy of these elections, the results reflect a pivotal moment in Chad’s political landscape. The establishment of the Senate heralds a new phase in governance aimed at representing diverse communities amidst ongoing security concerns.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
