Chad’s Elections Under Threat: Military Protection Requested Amid Rising Violence

Chad’s electoral commission has requested military aid to protect officials and candidates ahead of the elections scheduled for December 29, amid increasing violence from opposition supporters. Allegations of election manipulation by President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno’s administration have heightened tensions, with concerns that the elections may not reflect the will of the people. While millions have registered to vote, opposition parties question the fairness of the electoral process.

Chad’s electoral commission, the National Election Management Agency (ANGE), has urgently requested military assistance to safeguard election officials and candidates in light of an alarming rise in violent attacks as the December 29 elections approach. Instances of opposition supporters confronting ruling MPS party gatherings with clubs and iron bars have been reported across various cities, prompting fears that political tensions may escalate into armed conflicts without military intervention.

As the country gears up for parliamentary, regional, and local elections, nearly 180 political parties have nominated around 1,300 candidates, with over 8.3 million of the 18 million eligible voters registered. Despite this, more than 75 opposition parties and civil society groups have denounced the electoral process as a mere “masquerade,” alleging efforts by President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno and his party, the Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), to entrench their power through unfair tactics.

While the military has responded by dismantling roadblocks set up by opposition members to obstruct MPS campaigners, there have been reports of retaliatory attacks on MPS caravans in various communities. Avocksouma Djona, the president of the Party of Democrats, voiced concerns about the integrity of the electoral management, claiming all officials were appointed under Deby’s influence.

Deby, who assumed the presidency following his father’s death in 2021, has pledged to ensure a return to civilian governance that is fair and transparent, though opposition groups strongly contest this assertion, suspecting electoral manipulation aimed at maintaining his family’s political legacy. In the context of these political developments, the military’s decision on resource deployment and involvement in the electoral process remains pivotal for the stability of Chad’s democracy.

Chad has experienced political unrest following the death of its long-time leader Idriss Deby Itno in April 2021. His son, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, ascended to power and established a transitional government that has drawn criticism for its lack of genuine democratic processes. Opposition parties have accused the ruling government of orchestrating electoral manipulation to prolong their authority, leading to heightened tensions within the country as the approaching elections raise fears of violence and disorder among rival political factions.

In conclusion, the Chadian elections are fraught with significant challenges, including rising violence, allegations of electoral manipulation, and deeply entrenched political tensions. The military’s potential role in providing security during the electoral process will be crucial in determining whether these elections can be viewed as legitimate or if they will merely serve to extend the current administration’s control. The actions undertaken by authorities in response to growing unrest will ultimately influence the political future of Chad.

Original Source: www.voanews.com