Chad: the challenges awaiting Mahamat Idriss Déby, now transitional president

The N'Djamena arts and music center, where transitional president Mahamat Idriss Débys Itno was invested on October 10, 2022. AFP - DENIS SASSOU GUEIPEUR

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2 mins

Chad has officially turned its back since Sunday on the Transitional Military Committee, the group of 15 generals who took over as head of state 18 months ago, after its dissolution by the national dialogue on Saturday.

At the same time, he appointed Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno as president of a transition that will last a maximum of 24 months.

What are its strengths?

What are the challenges he will face, with part of the opposition, religious denominations and civil society, which boycotted these meetings?

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With our special correspondent in Ndjamena

,

From now on, the Military Transition Committee, the military junta at the head of the country since the death of Idriss Déby senior in April 2021, no longer officially exists.

Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno can therefore be considered as the sole master on board the Chad boat today.

The new charter also strengthens its powers.

It is he who will appoint the Prime Minister and the government, whom he can dismiss whenever he wishes.

This charter, revised by the so-called "inclusive and sovereign

, also gives him the possibility, if he so wishes, of running for the next presidential election, despite the contrary injunction of the African Union.

But "

", recognizes one of his advisers, speaking of a very voluminous specification and impossible to implement in the next 24 months.

In his inauguration speech

, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno therefore set priorities.

The main one: hold a referendum as soon as possible on the form of the state and work towards a return to constitutional order before the end of the transition.

But he doesn't want to stop there.

The transitional president has promised to put an end to inter-community conflicts, improve access to healthcare, drinking water, and even to fight against electricity shortages.

And he made quantified promises: “

”, exclaimed an opponent.

And for that, he promised to surround himself with a “

”.

But is this an oversight or a deliberate omission?

The reform of the army, although at the heart of the debates of the dialogue, was not mentioned.

With this new era, I hope there will be a political will to change things.

But if it's the same faces that continue, it will be difficult for things to change.

Faced with the promises of Mahamat Déby, the feelings of Chadians in the streets of N'Djamena

Esdras Ndikumana

But civil society, the opposition and the Chadian diaspora are worried about the political future of the country.

Forty personalities signed and published on Monday a press release evoking “

The signatories of the text believe that the recommendations of this dialogue do not constitute a solid basis for national reconciliation.

They call for a return to constitutional order as soon as possible.

The dialogue gave birth to a mouse and we are worried about the future of our country.

Because people came out of this dialogue disappointed.

And the question of the sovereignty of this dialogue poses problems.

Jacques Ngarassal, the coordinator of "Let's turn the Chad page"

Gaelle Laleix

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