Chad: the African Union clarifies its position on the eligibility of the president of the CMT

Transitional President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno during the opening ceremony of the inclusive and sovereign national dialogue on January 15 in Ndjamena, the Chadian capital.

AFP - AURELIE BAZZARA-KIBANGULA

Text by: Esdras Ndikumana Follow

2 mins

The African Union was expected at the turn.

A little over a year ago, the African organization decided to support the Transitional Military Council led by the son of the late President Mahamat Idriss Déby after the death of his father on April 20, 2021. This time, the Peace and Security Council wanted to be firm.

He recalled, during his last meeting on the 19th, that no member of the CMT can be a candidate at the end of the transition, and still sticks to a single transition of 18 months.

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The position of the African Union was long overdue, according to diplomatic sources.

For the past few days, Western ambassadors to Chad have been pressing for this organization, which must set the

on these issues, to break its silence before the end of the ongoing debates at the 15-Janvier palace in Ndjamena.

“ 

 ,” commented one of these diplomats.

commission

which has opted in particular for the eligibility of the head of the military junta in power, General Mahamat Idriss Déby, for a referendum on the form of the State or even for a transition extension of up to 24 months.

For the past two days, hundreds of delegates have been taking turns at the microphone where they have been confronting each other on these subjects which deeply divide Chad, before the plenary decides on the subject tomorrow or at the beginning of next week.

" 

A new deal 

"

But those who campaign for the ineligibility of the leaders of the transition had few illusions so far about the future decision, explaining that the supporters of military power have locked everything in this dialogue.

They now speak of " 

" with this statement by the Peace and Security Council of the African Union which " 

 " in its press release that no member of the CMT, the military junta in power, " 

”.

For the moment, no sanctions have been announced, but they are not far off, according to our sources.

The African Union has also warned in its press release that it plans to organize “

 ” which will be devoted to “

”.

" 

", believe these sources.

►Also read: In Chad, the African Union on a diplomatic visit before the inclusive national dialogue

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• Chad

• African Union

• Mahamat Idriss Deby