Chad Votes on Fresh Constitution in Referendum

Chadians have voted on a new constitution as a stepping stone to next year’s election with the aim of unifying the politically and socially divided country, which is both oil-rich and impoverished.

President Mahamat Idris Deby was the first to cast his vote at one polling station in N’Djamena, not far from the presidential palace.

For the 8million registered voters, Sunday’s referendum marks a long-awaited return to civilian rule since the April 2021 military takeover after the previous president, Idriss Deby, was killed by rebels.

The army had suspended the constitution after the death of President Idriss Deby and dissolved the parliament.

Deby’s son, Mahamat Idris Deby, was then installed by the military as interim president at the helm of a Transitional Military Council (TMC).

Chad has had little stability since its independence in 1960.

Deby promised to hold elections in 18 months when he seized power in April 2021, but his military administration has the power to extend its “transitional” rule by another 18 months.

The opposition, however, has faced arrest, intimidation, and threats for more than a year, yet their message is unified.

Chad had experienced a unitary state for over 50 years without tangible progress, he said.