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The election coincided with a temporary U.S. troop withdrawal from Chad, an ally crucial to the West. Provisional results are due by May 21, and final by June 5. A runoff is slated for June 22 if no candidate secures over 50% of the vote
Chad’s long-delayed presidential election is set to end three years of military rule. Including the present head of military junta Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, there are ten candidates in the fray, when some 8 million voters cast their voting rights.
While casting his vote, Deby Itno told reporters that elections would bring back constitutional rule to the country. He seized power after his father, a former president and military officer, was killed in 2021. One serious challenger to him, Yaya Dillo, was killed in unclear circumstances in February. Protests broke out across the country last year when the government announced that the younger Deby Itno’s rule would be extended. The elections were originally scheduled for October 2022.
The election coincided with a temporary U.S. troop withdrawal from Chad, an ally crucial to the West. Provisional results are due by May 21, and final by June 5. A runoff is slated for June 22 if no candidate secures over 50% of the vote. Political analysts say that the victory of Itno is a foregone conclusion. There are alleged doubts about the freedom and fairness of the elections.
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https://trendsnafrica.com/incumbent-president-idriss-deby-to-return-to-power-in-chads-elections/
Since assuming power, Déby maintains ties with France. While neighboring Sahel nations moved towards Moscow. Chad retains a significant French military presence. The U.S. recently announced temporary troop withdrawals, citing a security review post-election.
