Chad’s Patriotic Salvation Movement won 43 of 46 Senate seats in its first elections, completing a political transition initiated by Mahamat Idriss Déby after his father’s death. The elections drew criticism for lack of credibility, and Déby has fortified his power amid security threats, including Boko Haram attacks.
The Patriotic Salvation Movement (PSM), led by Chad’s military leader Mahamat Idriss Déby, has achieved a remarkable victory in the nation’s inaugural Senate elections, securing 43 of the 46 available seats, as announced on Tuesday. This senatorial election, conducted in late February, represents a crucial step in the political transition initiated following Déby’s ascension to power after his father’s passing four years prior.
Déby, who was awarded a five-year presidential term in an election last May, saw widespread opposition boycott the vote, which garnered criticism from international NGOs labeling it as “neither free nor credible.” The Constitutional Council of Chad later confirmed the results, with two seats designated for the PSM reassigned to allied parties following formal appeals. In response to the election results, Déby appointed the remaining 23 senators to complete the Senate, which aims to give voice to the country’s autonomous communities.
The formation of the Senate is a pivotal aspect of Chad’s newly established bicameral parliament, introduced through reforms in 2020 and solidified by a December 2023 constitutional referendum. In the December legislative elections, the PSM also secured a formidable majority, capturing 124 of 188 seats in the lower house, despite opposition groups largely boycotting the elections and denouncing the results as pre-fabricated.
These elections transpired amidst escalating security issues, particularly with ongoing attacks from the extremist group Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region, as well as the recent cancellation of a military cooperation agreement with France, the former colonial power. The prevailing political climate in Chad reveals significant challenges as Deby continues to solidify his grip on power.
The Patriotic Salvation Movement’s significant victories in both the Senate and legislative elections underscore Mahamat Idriss Déby’s consolidation of power within Chad’s political landscape. Despite widespread opposition boycotts and international criticism regarding the legitimacy of the electoral processes, the PSM has successfully positioned itself at the forefront of Chadian governance, all amidst a backdrop of pressing security concerns.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
