The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: March 25, 2025
Today: March 25, 2025

Chad swears in president after disputed election, ending years of military rule

ADDITION Chad Inauguration
May 23, 2024

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) โ€” Chad swore in Mahamat Deby Itno as the president on Thursday after holding elections earlier this month, completing a disputed transition to democratic rule after he seized power three years ago.

Deby Itno, also known as Mahamat Idriss Deby, took power after his father Idriss Deby Itno was killed fighting rebels in 2021 after ruling the country for three decades. The long-delayed May 6 election came after three years of military rule.

His main rival, Succรจs Masra, who contested the results earlier this month, resigned from his post as prime minister on Wednesday. Masra had been involved in protests against Deby Itnoโ€™s decision to extend his time in power, and fled the country in 2022. He was allowed to return last year and was appointed prime minister.

Chad swears in president after disputed election, ending years of military rule
Chad inauguration

Masra, who claimed to have won the election, filed an appeal to challenge the preliminary results which showed Deby Itno had won, but it was dismissed. The oil-exporting country of nearly 18 million people hasnโ€™t had a democratic transfer of power since it became independent in 1960, after decades of French colonial rule.

In his first presidential address, Deby Itno said his government would focus on boosting Chad's agricultural and farming sectors, and investing in education, access to water and healthcare.

"Iโ€™ve heard your yearning for change, and Iโ€™ve understood you. Letโ€™s all play our part, individually and collectively, to bring about the change we all hope, desire and expect," he said.

Western leaders congratulated Deby Itno despite irregularities in the vote, which included Chad's decision to ban 2,900 EU-trained observers from monitoring the election.

Chad is seen by the U.S. and France as one of the last remaining stable allies in the vast Sahel region following military coups in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger in recent years. The ruling juntas in all three nations have expelled French forces and turned to Russiaโ€™s mercenary units for security assistance instead.

โ€œAlthough there were troubling shortcomings, we welcome the milestones in Chadโ€™s transition process,โ€ the U.S. State Department said last week.

The British government also said the election marked an important milestone in the return to civilian rule. โ€œThe UK commends the engagement of the Chadian people and welcomes the largely peaceful way in which the elections and campaign were conducted," it said in a statement.

Related Articles

Fact check: Trump exaggerates trade deficits, his 2024 vote total, Ukraine aid, border crossings and fentanyl deaths Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says Democratic Party needs to fight harder while rallying with Bernie Sanders Canadian PM expected to call for election on Sunday Canadian farmers face two-front trade war as China duties take effect
Share This

Popular

Africa|Political|World

Sudan's RSF squeezing relief supplies as famine spreads, aid workers say

Sudan's RSF squeezing relief supplies as famine spreads, aid workers say
Africa|Crime|Political|World

Sudan aid groups say 54 killed in an airstrike blamed on the miliary in Darfur

Sudan aid groups say 54 killed in an airstrike blamed on the miliary in Darfur
Africa|Political|World

Burundi says Rwanda has a plan to attack it, Rwanda calls for calm

Burundi says Rwanda has a plan to attack it, Rwanda calls for calm
Africa|Political|World

South Sudan's VP Machar says Uganda is violating arms embargo

South Sudan's VP Machar says Uganda is violating arms embargo

Africa

Africa|Political|World

Renewed fighting in eastern Congo as neighbours try to revive peace process

Renewed fighting in eastern Congo as neighbours try to revive peace process
Africa|Political|World

South Sudan is teetering on the edge of renewed civil war, UN envoy says

South Sudan is teetering on the edge of renewed civil war, UN envoy says
Africa|Political|World

South Africa president says persecution of whites a 'false narrative' as Musk repeats genocide claim

South Africa president says persecution of whites a 'false narrative' as Musk repeats genocide claim
Africa|Business|Economy|US

US jet fuel imports surge as Nigeria's Dangote refinery pushes barrels west

US jet fuel imports surge as Nigeria's Dangote refinery pushes barrels west