Chad: the MPS proposes an alliance to bring together presidential candidates around Mahamad Idriss Déby

The Patriotic Salvation Movement of the late President Idriss Déby Itno has nominated his son, General Mahamat Idriss Déby, as a candidate for the next presidential election since January. Since Friday February 16, the party has opened for signature, at its headquarters in Ndjamena, a joint declaration of support for its candidate, already signed by 115 political parties. The other candidates have until Monday, February 19, 2 p.m. local time, to decide, according to internal sources. The strategy would serve the power and the party to have a dominant position before bringing forward the date of the election.

The MPS says the alliance around Mahamat Idriss Déby would be its own decision, but many say the transitional president is behind it. Here, the latter arrives in Kinshasa on January 20, 2024. © Arsene Mpiana / AFP

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Officially,

the inauguration of Mahamat Déby Itno

and the launch of a coalition to run his presidential candidacy is “ 

an initiative

 ” of the Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), its leaders swear hand on heart. “ 

The transitional president has not yet responded to our investiture proposal

 ,” assures his secretary general Mahamat Zéne Baba.

But in reality, “ 

this entire strategy

was put in place by mutual agreement with the transitional president

,” explains a senior MPS executive.

The communication channels between him and Zene Bada are permanently open

 ,” he insisted.

This suits both parties, believes political scientist Ramadji Hoïnathy: “ 

Mahamat Idriss Deby does not have time to set up a new party and needs the cheating machine of the MPS

,” asserts the researcher harshly.

While this alliance allows this party to keep control of state resources

,” he adds.

Now, the transitional power is rolling out its plan which aims to organize the presidential election as quickly as possible. According to our source, “

to catch off guard any potential competitors who have not rallied to the transitional president

.”

After setting up

the Constitutional Council and the Agency responsible for organizing the elections

in January , the National Transitional Council which replaces the parliament should adopt a draft electoral code on Wednesday February 21. This while an indicative timetable circulating in the corridors of power proposes the date of May 24 for the presidential election, i.e. in 3 months.

In the meantime, the MPS has its supporters. This is despite the fact that certain close allies, such as the leader of Alliance 43 Yoboide Malloum Djeraki, refuse to commit until Mahamat Idriss Deby has applied and made public his social project.

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