Chad’s ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement won 45 of 46 Senate seats in a controversial election, strengthening President Deby’s control after previous electoral victories. Opposition allegations of voting irregularities emerged, particularly in Moundou. The political landscape shifts as Deby ends military cooperation with France, suggesting a move towards new alliances.
The ruling party in Chad secured 45 out of 46 seats in the country’s inaugural Senate election, according to provisional results which have been partly contested by the opposition. This outcome reinforces President Mahamat Idriss Deby’s authority, following his ascension to power in 2021 after the death of his father. President Deby recently won a presidential election by a significant margin, while his party previously dominated a legislative election, attaining a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly.
During the Senate elections, the Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS) party obtained all but one of the contested seats. The only opposing candidate, Albert Pahimi Padacke from the National Rally of Chadian Democrats (RNDT), raised concerns about potential electoral irregularities, particularly in the city of Moundou. Additionally, 23 senators will be appointed by the president, contributing to a legislature that will serve six-year renewable terms.
Amid these political developments, Chad has shifted its defense policies, including terminating its military cooperation with France, which aligns with similar strategies adopted by other nations in the region post-coups. This move could potentially alter Chad’s relationships with international military support and reveal a pivot towards alternative alliances in the wake of regional instability.
The decisive victory for Chad’s ruling party in the Senate election consolidates President Deby’s power following his prior electoral successes. Controversies surrounding the election raise questions about the integrity of the electoral process. Furthermore, changes in military alliances indicate a significant geopolitical shift for Chad as it seeks new international relationships amid regional turmoil.
Original Source: www.timeslive.co.za
