Former allies clash in Chad's presidential race in first election since military takeover: summary

What we know

• On May 6, almost 8.5 million Chadians will cast ballots, three years after their military leader Mahamat Idriss Deby took over power following the passing of his father, long-term ruler Idriss Deby in April 2021.
• The Central African nation voted in a constitutional referendum ahead of a proposed transition to civilian rule on December 17.
• In the election, Deby will face off against his prime minister, Success Masra, a former political rival who was permitted to return to the country after fleeing into exile in 2022.
• Albert Padacke, another presidential candidate is a former prime minister of the Central African nation from 2016 to 2018 and an ally of the late Idriss Deby ran against the long-term ruler multiple times and came second in the 2021 presidential election, boycotted by the opposition leaders for alleged rigging.
• Despite coming from the same clan as Deby, opposition leader Yaya Dillo was expected to challenge him in the election. However, on February 28, the day of the announcement of the election date, Dillo was shot and killed in the capital city of N'Djamena.
• The poll takes place at the same time that American forces are temporarily leaving Chad, a crucial partner of the West in a part of Central and West Africa that is being plagued by jihadism.
• A boycott has been demanded by certain opposition members and civil society organisations due to suspicions of vote rigging, which has stoked worries of probable violence.
• Those who opposed the referendum called for a boycott in December 2023, claiming that a yes vote would return control to the military dictatorship.
• Provisional results will be expected by May 21 and final results by June 5. There will be a run-off on June 22 if no contender wins more than 50% of the vote.

What they said

Interim president Mahamat Idriss Deby during his campaign in Chad's capital N'Djamena in April said "Today we are at the final turn on the road to constitutional return… You know me, I am a soldier and I hold my promises. We will strengthen internal security to guarantee peace and stability in our country." Junta-installed prime minister, Succes Masra during the declaration of his candidacy in March also said "We are here as candidates to serve the Chadian people, Chadian men and women… Yes, I am a candidate, and we are candidates to become the next leaders of the country."