The Prime Minister appointed by the military junta in Chad, Succès Masra, promised Monday, if he is elected president in a week, a “place” at his side for the President of the Transition, General Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, who is sees him elected in the first round.
The May 6 vote presents an unprecedented configuration in this Central African country, even on the continent: Mahamat Déby, proclaimed head of state by the army three years ago, faces the Prime Minister he -even appointed on January 1, the former opponent Succès Masra.
And eight other candidates who will only be able to glean the crumbs. Because the junta violently muzzled and repressed all opposition, sometimes bloodily, and the few real opponents were invalidated by the Constitutional Court.
Critics of military power tirelessly denounce the “betrayal” of Mr. Masra, whom they accuse – like many political scientists – of having concluded a deal with Mr. Déby to continue to share power: one assured to be elected, the other to remain head of government.
A ticket that Mr. Masra presented, when announcing his candidacy, as that of the “pilot and co-pilot” of a plane flying “towards democracy”. But recently, some observers perceive it as a potential spoilsport which would at least push General Déby towards a second round.
Crowds
Because Mr. Masra, a 40-year-old economist, is gaining confidence during a campaign bringing together large crowds, particularly in the south where he comes from, a stronghold of Christian and animist opposition to a dominated power. politically and economically by clans from the Arab-Muslim north for more than 40 years.
“I am a candidate to be the main pilot,” he proclaims Monday in an interview with AFP and the French daily La Croix in Moundou, the main city in the south where he attracted a veritable human tide on Sunday. “We are undoubtedly heading towards a victory in the first round,” wants to believe the former fierce opponent of the “Déby dynasty”.
Then a young general of 37 years, Mahamat Déby was proclaimed by the army president at the head of a junta of 15 generals on April 20, 2021 the day after the death of his father Idriss Déby Itno, killed by rebels while surrendering at the front after having ruled the country for 30 years with an iron fist.
Mr. Masra promises to “reconcile Chadians, to heal the wounds”, in particular by convening, if he is elected, “a Truth and Justice commission”, “not only” for the transition of General Déby “but above all the period since the independence of Chad from France in 1960.
He wants to “ensure that this Chad is a Chad on its two legs”, with “a security dimension and a development dimension”, a “Chad in which civilians and soldiers, Christians and Muslims, men and women, young and old ( …) will work together”.
General Déby “and his entire team will have their place at my side as head of state,” he promises.
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