Summary:
Chadians endorse a new constitution with an 86% majority, raising concerns about junta leader Mahamat Idriss Deby’s consolidation of power. Opposition groups criticize the referendum process.
In a recent referendum, Chadians overwhelmingly supported a new constitution, securing an 86% approval, according to the government commission. The vote, seen by military authorities as a crucial step towards upcoming elections, comes amid criticism that it may further strengthen junta leader Mahamat Idriss Deby’s grip on power. Voter turnout reached 64%.
Chad’s military rulers, who seized control in 2021 after the death of former president Idriss Deby, frame the new constitution as a pivotal move towards democratic governance. The document maintains Chad’s unitary state structure, a point of contention as some factions advocate for a federal state to foster development.
Despite the high approval rate, several opposition groups advocated for a boycott, expressing concerns over the junta’s influence on the referendum process. Critics argue that the junta’s control may compromise the legitimacy of the vote and the ensuing political landscape.
Initially pledging an 18-month transition to elections following his father’s demise, Mahamat Idriss Deby shifted the timeline last year, postponing elections until 2024. This alteration also allows him to run for president in the future vote, intensifying concerns about the junta’s enduring influence over Chad’s political trajectory.