The president of military-led Chad, General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, made a campaign stop on Thursday in Moundou, the southern opposition stronghold, ahead of the May presidential election, where he is widely expected to emerge victorious following the removal of his main rivals from the race.
General Deby Itno assumed the presidency in a coup in 2021 following the death of his father, Idriss Deby Itno, who had ruled the Sahel country with an iron fist for over three decades.
Initially pledging to transfer power to a civilian government within 18 months and declaring he would not run for president, General Deby Itno later reversed his decision in March and announced his candidacy.
Shortly after, authorities banned 10 opposition candidates from running, and in a disturbing turn of events, Deby Itno’s main rival, Yaya Dillo Djerou, was shot dead in an army assault on his PSF party headquarters.
During his visit to Moundou, General Deby Itno reiterated his campaign slogan “May 6 is a knockout” to a crowd of several thousand people in a heavily guarded stadium, emphasizing his vision for society over the next five years.
The southern regions, predominantly inhabited by Christian or animist communities, have a history of vocal opposition to the government despite facing repression.
Sociologist and lecturer at the University of N’Djamena, Ladiba Gondeu, highlighted Moundou’s central role in protests against the political system in Chad and its history of enduring repression from the authorities.
Moundou witnessed a violent crackdown in October 2022 following protests against a two-year extension of Deby’s transition period.
According to the Chadian Human Rights League, 34 people lost their lives during the crackdown, underscoring the tense political climate in the region.
Despite campaigning on promises to strengthen peace, national unity, and infrastructure, concerns persist among Moundou residents about potential repression from the predominantly Muslim regime based in N’Djamena, around 470 kilometers (300 miles) away.
While General Deby Itno’s Patriotic Salvation Movement party (MPS) has reopened branches in Moundou, many residents feel marginalized by the current regime.
Moundou largely favors Deby Itno’s opponent, Succes Masra, who has garnered support among the city’s youth.
Masra’s campaign rally in Moundou is scheduled for April 28th, signaling a growing opposition movement against General Deby Itno’s candidacy in the upcoming election.
As the campaign intensifies, tensions are mounting in Chad, with the outcome of the election poised to shape the country’s political landscape for years to come.
