Chad’s MPS Achieves Dominant Senate Victory Amid Political Challenges

Chad’s Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS) has won 43 out of 46 Senate seats, finalizing a political transition since Mahamat Idriss Deby assumed power. Following a contentious presidential election last May, where the outcome was deemed untrustworthy, Deby continues to secure his dominance amidst widespread electoral boycotts and growing security issues.

The Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), aligned with Chad’s military leader Mahamat Idriss Deby, has achieved a decisive victory by securing 43 out of 46 seats in the first-ever Senate elections, according to the confirmed results announced on Tuesday. These elections, which were held in late February, concluded a political transition initiated following the death of Deby’s father four years ago.

Mahamat Idriss Deby, who was elected to a five-year presidential term last May amid an opposition boycott, has been fortifying his authority. Various international non-governmental organizations have criticized the presidential election, declaring it “neither free nor credible.” Following the election results announcement, two seats initially designated for the MPS were redistributed to allied parties after successful appeals.

After the election results were disclosed, President Deby appointed the 23 senators required to finalize the Senate, which will represent Chad’s autonomous communities. This newly established Senate is part of the bicameral parliament created following a reform in 2020, a change ratified through a constitutional referendum conducted in December 2023.

Additionally, in the legislative elections held in December, the MPS maintained a commanding presence by winning 124 out of 188 seats in the lower house. Both of these elections faced significant opposition boycotts, with critics denouncing the outcomes as “pre-fabricated results.” The elections were conducted amid rising security challenges, including assaults by the jihadist group Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region and the recent dissolution of a military cooperation agreement with France.

In summary, the MPS’s overwhelming victories in both the Senate and legislative elections underscore Mahamat Idriss Deby’s consolidation of power amid accusations of electoral malpractice. The opposition’s consistent boycott of these elections highlights a significant political rift in Chad. As the nation grapples with security threats and a shifting political landscape, these developments indicate continued challenges for democratic governance in the country.

Original Source: newscentral.africa