N’DJAMENA: Chad is at a crucial moment as voters head to the polls for a referendum on a new constitution, a crucial step toward elections and the promised return of civilian rule following the ruling military junta. However, a significant portion of the opposition and civil society is advocating for a boycott, arguing that the referendum is a strategic move to extend the “Deby dynasty.”
The referendum, taking place on Sunday, is seen by many as a means to pave the way for the election of the current transitional president, General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, continuing a legacy initiated by his late father 33 years ago after a coup. The opposition, favoring federalism, supports the “no” vote, while the ruling junta and “yes” camp argue for a “unitary and decentralized state” to preserve unity.
The ruling junta, backed by a well-financed campaign, faces a divided opposition that has encountered arrest, intimidation, and threats for over a year. The opposition, critical of both the “yes” and “no” campaigns, alleges that the referendum merely legitimizes the perpetuation of the “Deby dynasty.”
Chad Opposition Leaders Call for Boycott of Referendum
Posters championing a “yes” vote adorn the capital, N’Djamena, advocating for a constitution for a “unitary and decentralized state.” However, opposition groups have actively called for a boycott, aiming for a low turnout to delegitimize the leadership they accuse of perpetuating a decades-long dynasty.
Max Loalngar, coordinator of one opposition group, Wakit Tamma, expressed the hope that a low turnout would undermine the credibility of the referendum, calling it an attempt to impose a “dynasty” on the people.
Mahamat Deby, declared transitional president in April 2021 after the death of his father Idriss Deby Itno, initially pledged elections within 18 months. However, the transition was extended by two years, and he was authorized to run in the presidential election now scheduled for the end of 2024. The opposition criticizes this move, highlighting a lack of adherence to the initial commitment.
In October 2022, a crackdown on demonstrators, labeled “Black Thursday,” resulted in the deaths of scores of young men and teenagers, according to the opposition and NGOs. Opposition leaders, including prominent figure Succes Masra, fled the country, fearing for their lives. Despite this, Masra, in exile, has urged his followers to vote “yes.”
