Chad’s Patriotic Salvation Movement Dominates Senate Elections

The Patriotic Salvation Movement leads Chad’s new senate with 43 out of 46 seats. This inaugural election is part of a political transition initiated by Mahamat Idriss Deby’s ascendancy to power. The election results have faced criticism for lacking credibility, and opposition parties widely boycotted the electoral process, indicating significant political strife in Chad amidst growing security threats.

The Patriotic Salvation Movement (PSM), led by Chad’s military figure Mahamat Idriss Deby, has triumphantly acquired 43 of the 46 available seats during Chad’s inaugural senate elections. This electoral event, concluded at the end of February, signifies a crucial stage in a political transition initiated when Deby assumed power subsequent to his father’s passing four years prior.

Following a controversial election last May, in which Deby was elected for a five-year term amid opposition boycotts, he has increasingly fortified his authority. International NGOs criticized this electoral process, labeling it “neither free nor credible.”

The Constitutional Council of Chad confirmed the final results, indicating that two seats initially allotted to the PSM were reassigned to allied parties after appeals were filed. In the aftermath of the announcements, Deby promptly appointed the final 23 senators necessary to complete the chamber, which will serve as representation for Chad’s autonomous communities.

This newly established senate is a component of Chad’s bicameral parliamentary system, instituted through reforms in 2020, later enacted into a new constitution via a referendum held in December 2023. In the legislative elections of December, the PSM also managed to secure a commanding majority by winning 124 out of 188 seats in the lower house, despite widespread boycotts from opposition factions that decried the elections as yielding “pre-fabricated results.”

The backdrop to these elections includes escalating security challenges, notably assaults by the jihadist group Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region, along with the recent cancellation of a military cooperation agreement with France, Chad’s former colonial authority.

In conclusion, Chad’s Patriotic Salvation Movement has established a remarkable presence in the newly formed senate, winning 43 out of 46 seats, a significant indicator of the current political climate under Mahamat Idriss Deby. The elections, however, were marred by opposition boycotts and criticisms regarding their legitimacy, reflecting ongoing political tensions and security concerns in the country. Deby’s consolidation of power continues to draw scrutiny from international observers and domestic opposition alike.

Original Source: newscentral.africa