Chad’s Ruling Party Dominates First Senate Election, Signals Political Control

Chad’s ruling MPS party won 45 of 46 Senate seats in the first election, reinforcing President Mahamat Idriss Deby’s power. Protests from opposition leaders about election irregularities emerged. The Senate comprises 46 indirectly elected members and 23 appointed by the president, reflecting ongoing political tensions in the country and shifts in military alliances.

Chad’s ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS) party secured 45 of the 46 available seats during the country’s inaugural Senate elections. Provisional results, which faced objections from the main opposition, reaffirmed President Mahamat Idriss Deby’s authority. Having ascended to power in 2021 after the death of his father, Deby previously won 61% of votes in a disputed presidential election earlier this year.

The December legislative elections were characterized by an opposition boycott, resulting in the MPS acquiring a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly. In the recent Senate elections, only one seat was claimed by the National Rally of Chadian Democrats (RNDT), led by former Prime Minister Albert Pahimi Padacke, who now stands as the lone opposition senator. Padacke raised concerns regarding alleged electoral irregularities in the city of Moundou.

The Senate will consist of 46 indirectly elected senators, chosen by municipal and provincial councillors, as well as 23 senators appointed directly by the President. This Senate will serve a six-year renewable term. Since Deby’s presidency, the government has severed its military ties with France, aligning itself with the regional shift evidenced in countries like Mali and Niger, which have similarly distanced themselves from French military presence.

Chad is recognized as a crucial ally for Western nations fighting Islamic extremism in the Sahel region; however, the recent changes in military affiliation signal a significant alteration in its foreign relationships. The ramifications of these shifts may influence Chad’s future role in regional security dynamics.

Deby’s administration continues to face challenges from opposition forces amid claims of electoral malfeasance. Overall, the ruling MPS party’s dominance in the Senate reinforces the consolidation of power during this politically turbulent period.

The provisional results from Chad’s first Senate election reveal a significant victory for the ruling MPS party, solidifying President Mahamat Idriss Deby’s control. Despite the opposition’s protests regarding electoral legitimacy, the election outcome reflects a continuation of the ruling party’s political dominance in Chad. Furthermore, the severing of ties with France marks a notable shift in Chad’s foreign relations, aligning with wider trends in the region.

Original Source: www.timeslive.co.za