Chadian Prime Minister Succes Masra has resigned from his post following his defeat to military government chief Mahamat Idriss Deby in the presidential election. Masra, a vocal critic of the military government which seized power in April 2021, was appointed prime minister of the transitional government in January, just four months before the election. He stated that his resignation, along with that of the transition government, was necessary as it became irrelevant with the conclusion of the presidential election and was in accordance with the constitution.
Mahamat Idriss Deby, son of the late President Idriss Deby Itno who was killed by rebels after ruling the country for 30 years, was declared the winner of the election with 61 percent of the votes. Masra, who received 18.5 percent of the votes, contested the results and claimed victory in the election which he and his party criticized as a “masquerade.” International rights groups had also expressed doubts about the credibility and fairness of the election. Despite acknowledging the ruling of the Constitutional Council confirming Deby’s victory, Masra stated that there were no further legal means to challenge the results.
Chad, an oil-producing country in West and Central Africa’s Sahel region, has a history of coups, human rights abuses, and rebel attacks since gaining independence from France in 1960. Following the death of President Idriss Deby and the subsequent military takeover in April 2021, the country has been striving to return to constitutional rule through the holding of elections. Deby’s victory in the presidential polls marks a significant step in the transition process, although there have been concerns raised about the legitimacy and transparency of the election.
The resignation of Prime Minister Succes Masra signifies a shift in the political landscape of Chad, with the military government chief Mahamat Idriss Deby now firmly in power following his victory in the presidential polls. Masra, a former opponent of Deby, had been appointed prime minister in a move to appease the opposition prior to the election. His decision to step down, along with the transition government, indicates a willingness to respect the outcome of the election and adhere to constitutional processes.
The situation in Chad reflects the challenges faced by countries in the Sahel region as they strive to establish stable and democratic governance in the aftermath of coups and political unrest. The international community will be closely monitoring developments in Chad to ensure that the transition to constitutional rule is peaceful and inclusive. The resignation of Prime Minister Succes Masra highlights the complex political dynamics at play in Chad and the importance of upholding democratic principles in the post-election period.
