Chad’s Junta-Appointed PM Declares Intention to Run for President
Chad’s junta-appointed Prime Minister, Succès Masra, has declared his candidacy for the presidency, just a week after the interim president and junta leader, Mahamat Déby, announced his own bid. Masra, a former opposition leader, had previously signed a reconciliation agreement with Déby upon returning from exile, leading to his appointment as prime minister in January.
Speaking at a rally on Sunday, Masra stated that his presidential candidacy aims to unite the people and “heal hearts.” However, the opposition has criticized this move, dismissing it as a strategy to create the appearance of political diversity in an election where Déby is widely expected to secure victory.
Opposition parties, such as the GCAP (Group of Political Parties in Chad), see Masra’s candidacy as a sham designed to support the continuation of military dominance. Max Kemkoye, the GCAP spokesman, referred to it as “a farce, a fake candidacy to accompany the head of military power,” according to statements made to AFP news agency.
The political landscape in Chad faced a significant setback when Déby’s main rival, opposition leader Yaya Dillo, was killed in a shootout with security forces on February 28. The government had accused Dillo of orchestrating a deadly attack on the country’s security agency, a charge he vehemently denied. Dillo was widely considered the primary challenger to Déby in the upcoming election.
Déby assumed leadership in Chad after his father, who had ruled for three decades, was killed by rebels. The announcement of both the junta leader and the junta-appointed prime minister vying for the presidency further complicates the political situation in Chad, raising concerns about the legitimacy and fairness of the electoral process.
