Chad’s junta leader, General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, officially secured victory in the May 6 presidential election, receiving 61% of the vote, according to final results announced by the Constitutional Council on Thursday.
The court dismissed a challenge from his main rival, Prime Minister Succes Masra, who had called for the annulment of the election results, claiming he had won. Masra finished second with 18.54% of the vote, while former prime minister Albert Pahimi Padacke garnered 16.93%, as reported by Constitutional Council president Jean-Bernard Padare.
Despite once being a staunch opponent of Deby, Masra became prime minister four months ago. He accused Deby’s team of electoral fraud and urged his supporters to “mobilize peacefully.”
The election was criticized by international human rights groups, who asserted that it lacked credibility and fairness. Opposition figures in Chad have faced significant repression, exemplified by the killing of Deby’s main rival and cousin, Yaya Dillo Djerou, in February.
General Deby was appointed transitional president three years ago by his fellow generals after his father, long-time president Idriss Deby Itno, was killed by rebels following his 30-year rule. The final election results closely matched the provisional results announced on May 9.
