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Chad’s First Election Since 2002 Tests Strongman President’s Rule
February 16, 2011
By: Chinyelu Odunze | Printer Friendly

On Sunday, Chad’s first parliamentary election in eight years went smoothly, despite minor flaws , including the opening and closing of polling stations, observers and authorities said.  The vote tested strongman President Idriss Deby's grip on the oil-producing African state.

Approximately 2,000 national and local observers monitored the poll.  According to the Science Christian Monitor, there were no major reports of violence, intimidation, or manipulation.  Reuters reported that Louis Michel, head of the European Union observer mission said "from our observations, we have not seen any irregularities specifically aimed at fraud.” 

According to AFP, Michel said, "there are no overt signs of a political debate in this country, but there is one thing, the citizens are happy to vote, it's a profound and calm, tranquil joy."  Despite the optimistic remarks , he also noted that many voting stations opened up to two hours later than scheduled.  Despite logistical shortcomings and corresponding voter concerns, "overall, things went well," National Independent Electoral Commission president Yaya Mahamat Liguita told AFP.  He also praised "massive" participation of voters "in a spirit of peace and tolerance.”

Chad's 4.8 million voters faced a choice between Deby's Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS) party – which currently has a strong majority in parliament – and candidates from the Coordination of Political Parties for the Defense of the Constitution (CPDC), an umbrella group of opposition parties.  Past attempts to have the election have failed due to lasting instability that has plagued the former French colony since gaining independence in 1960.  Deby, who came to power in a 1990 coup, is expected to stand for re-election in April 2011.

AFP reported that Saleh Kebzabo, the deputy secretary general of the CPDC stated, "Everyone has something to win. A greater presence of the opposition (in the Assembly) will only increase the credibility" of Deby.

During its absence from the political landscape, in 2007, the opposition signed an agreement under the auspices of the European Union that officially paved the way for a democratic process.  To make the transition period more transparent, the CPDC secured the dismissal of the election commission chief accused of fraudulently adding eight people to the parliamentary candidate list at Deby’s request. 

Oil-rich Chad produces about 115,000 barrels of oil per day.  It became an oil producer in 2003, following the completion of a four-billion-dollar pipeline linking its oilfields to depots on the Atlantic coast.

Until recently, Chad was a country with a long history of coups and raids.  Chad is one of Africa's poorest countries, suffering from poverty and internal conflict despite abundant resources of uranium and gold.

There are some hopes for stability after Deby last year appeared to have improved relations with Sudanese President Omar Hassan al Bashir , after five years of a proxy war fought by their rebel groups on their border areas.  Following an agreement with Sudan, Chad agreed to stop funding and supporting rebels in Sudan’s Darfur region if Sudan agreed to do the same with Chadian rebels lurking along the Chad-Sudanese border.

Sources:
AFP - Chad votes, opposition contesting for first time in decade

Christian Science Monitor - Five African Stories You May Have Missed During Egypt’s Revolt

Reuters - Chad Elections Given Thumbs-Up Despite Delays