Highlights: Chad: Mahamat Idriss Déby officially candidate for the presidential election. He declared his candidacy on the morning of Saturday, March 2, during a ceremony organized by the coalition formed for the election by the MPS. His candidacy, however, is not a surprise because the progress of the transition left little doubt. The events of the week marked by the death of Yaya Dillo, Wednesday February 28, during the assault on the headquarters of the opponent's party, were not mentioned by the head of state.

Chad: Mahamat Idriss Déby officially candidate for the presidential election

In Chad, the leader of the transition, Mahamat Idriss Déby, is officially a candidate for the presidential election scheduled for May 6, 2024. He declared his candidacy on the morning of Saturday, March 2, during a ceremony organized by the coalition formed for the election by the MPS, the party founded by his father.

In Chad, the leader of the transition Mahamat Idriss Déby announces that he is a candidate for the presidential election scheduled for May 6, during an inauguration ceremony in Ndjamena, this Saturday March 2, 2024. AFP - -

By: RFI Follow

With our special correspondent in Ndjamena,

François Mazet

General Mahamat Idriss Déby had remained silent since mid-January 2024, when the MPS requested his candidacy.

It is now official, he will be a candidate in the presidential election and announced it during an inauguration ceremony in front of a thousand people gathered in the large amphitheater of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Dear brothers and sisters, after calm and deep reflection, I have decided to follow up on the choice you made of our modest person as candidate of the coalition for a united Chad.

00:32

General Mahamat Idriss Déby, president of the transition

François Mazet

His candidacy, however, is not a surprise because if Mahamat Idriss Déby said, in his speech, that initially, he did not see himself as a candidate, the progress of the transition left little doubt.

The MPS had also accelerated things, by designating it, in mid-January, in the wake of the “yes” victory in the constitutional referendum, before initiating discussions with a view to this coalition for a United Chad which promises a “

resounding victory

” for the leader of the transition.

“

Whoever wants to be crushed just has to go in front of us

,” said the head of the MPS, Mahamat Zène Bada, before adding “

We will bring you 65% of the votes, you will go and get the rest.

Mahamat Idriss Déby has been sober.

He praised the “

resilience

” of Chadians and defended the work of the transition, mainly maintaining the stability of the country in a sub-region “

where a simple spark can ignite an entire country,

” he said.

Yaya Dillo's death not mentioned

The events of the week marked by the death of Yaya Dillo, Wednesday February 28, during the assault on the headquarters of the opponent's party, the head of state refrained from referring to these events.

For his supporters, Yaya Dillo was trying to sow “

chaos

” in the country and the security forces did their duty and acted in self-defense.

This version is contested by many who question the abusive use of force, or even denounce an assassination, an “

execution

”, according to his party, the PSF.

Many political actors, civil society and ordinary citizens are wondering about the consequences of these events and regret that the electoral campaign will not be a peaceful one.

Read also Death of opponent Yaya Dillo in Chad: return to the journey of a cousin who was too embarrassing

Chad: Mahamat Idriss Déby officially candidate for the presidential election

Chad: Mahamat Idriss Déby officially candidate for the presidential election

Yaya Dillo's death not mentioned

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