Chad's interim president Mahamat Idriss Deby announces candidacy for upcoming presidential race

Chad’s interim President Mahamat Idriss Deby has officially declared his intention to run in the upcoming presidential election, marking a significant development in the country’s political landscape.

The announcement comes in the wake of a tumultuous week that saw the tragic death of opposition politician Yaya Dillo in the capital city of N’Djamena.

The circumstances surrounding Dillo’s death have heightened tensions and exposed deep divisions within the ruling elite as Chad prepares for a crucial transition to democratic governance through the electoral process. The Chadian government has claimed that Dillo was killed in a confrontation with security forces and has accused members of his party of attacking the internal security agency.

In a related development, General Saleh Deby Itno, the uncle of President Deby, was arrested following the events of Wednesday. Itno, who had recently defected to Dillo’s opposition Socialist Party Without Borders, has been charged by the public prosecutor, although the specific charges have not been disclosed.

The death of Dillo has been denounced by Chadian rebel group the Front for Change and Concord in Chad, as well as the CNRD opposition party, who have described it as an assassination. The URT opposition party has also condemned the events, characterizing them as an attempt to stifle political opposition.

In a public address, President Deby formally announced his candidacy for the upcoming election, expressing a sense of honor, humility, responsibility, and gratitude in accepting the nomination. Notably, his speech did not reference the recent events surrounding Dillo’s death or his uncle’s arrest.

Deby’s decision to run for president comes after initially promising an 18-month transition to elections following his assumption of power in 2021, following the death of his father in clashes with rebels. However, his government later postponed elections until 2024 and allowed him to run for president, leading to protests that were met with a violent crackdown by security forces, resulting in the loss of approximately 50 civilian lives.

The announcement of Deby’s candidacy and the recent political turmoil in Chad have raised concerns about the country’s democratic transition and the potential for further unrest in the lead-up to the election.