Chad’s Ruling Party Dominates First Senate Election in Provisional Results

Chad’s ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement won 45 out of 46 Senate seats in the first election, reinforcing President Deby’s power. The main opposition has raised concerns over electoral irregularities. Deby’s presidency has also seen a shift away from France, as Chad seeks closer ties with Russia following key military changes.

Chad’s ruling party, the Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), secured 45 of the 46 available Senate seats in the country’s inaugural Senate election, according to provisional results. This victory reinforces President Mahamat Idriss Deby’s authority, who assumed power in 2021 after the death of his father, Idriss Deby Itno. The opposition has contested these results, particularly pointing to irregularities during the voting process in significant locations like Moundou.

The recent Senate elections came on the heels of a presidential election in which President Deby garnered 61% of the vote despite allegations of electoral fraud from the opposition. Previously, in December, a legislative election, marked by a boycott from several opposition factions, yielded a two-thirds majority for the MPS in the National Assembly. The Senate elections included 46 indirectly elected senators by local councillors, in addition to 23 positions that will be appointed by the president for six-year terms.

In the regional context, Chad has recently altered its military partnerships, including the termination of its defense cooperation agreement with France, resulting in the exit of French forces. This move aligns Chad with other West and Central African nations, such as Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, that have similarly distanced themselves from French military support in favor of fostering ties with Russia. This shift marks a significant change in the geopolitical landscape within the Sahel region.

In conclusion, the MPS’s overwhelming success in the Senate elections solidifies President Deby’s political power amidst ongoing controversies regarding electoral integrity. The changes in military alliances reflect broader regional trends of distancing from Western influences and heightening cooperation with Russia, highlighting the complex dynamics at play in Chad’s governance and its role in the Sahel’s security apparatus.

Original Source: www.timeslive.co.za