Chad's electoral commission has requested military assistance to safeguard election officials and candidates amid a surge in pre-election violence. Opposition supporters have disrupted ruling party rallies, raising concerns about the stability of the upcoming December 29th elections.
Yaounde, Cameroon — Chad 's electoral commission has asked the central African state's military to help protect election officials and candidates amid a spike in attacks ahead of Dec. 29 elections. Witnesses say opposition supporters have used clubs and iron bars to prevent the ruling MPS party from holding rallies in several cities and towns.
The National Election Management Agency in Chad, known as ANGE, said campaigning for the parliamentary, local council and regional elections has been plagued by attempts to disrupt rallies and attacks on candidates and elections officials. Chadian officials say the elections will mark an end to the central African state's three-year'transitional period' following the April 2021 death of longtime President Idriss Deby Itno. ANGE Vice President Assane Bairra said ongoing tensions may worsen into armed conflicts if Chad's military fails to deploy troops.About 180 political parties have put forward nearly 1,300 candidates to compete in the country's parliamentary elections, with several thousand others taking part in local council and provincial elections, according to Chad's government.However, a coalition of over 75 opposition parties and civil society groups describe the planned polls as a'masquerade,' saying that Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno and his Patriotic Salvation Movement, or MPS, are planning to use the polls to consolidate their grip on power. Opposition and civil society groups said their supporters this week used clubs and iron bars to attack MPS campaign caravans in several towns, including Ndjamena, Bongor, Abeche, Lai and Moundou. In other areas, the military said, it has dismantled roadblocks set up by opposition parties to prevent MPS campaigners from entering towns. Avocksouma Djona, president of Chad's Party of Democrats, said his supporters have been blocking campaigners from both MPS and the opposition from holding election rallie
Chad Elections Violence Opposition Military
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Deby Defends Decision to End Chad's Military Ties With FranceChadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby has said his decision to end cooperation agreements with the French military is part of a promise he made during his inauguration in May, 2024. In a televised address, Deby said the defense pact no longer meets his country's security needs.
Read more »
Hundreds Rally in Chad to End Military Cooperation with FranceHundreds of people gathered in N'Djamena, Chad, to support the government's call to end military cooperation with France. Protesters, carrying anti-France placards, expressed their belief that Chad has its own army capable of defending the country. The peaceful demonstration was approved by authorities.
Read more »
Chad Military Frees Abducted Cameroonians, While Troops Deployed to Secure BorderChad's military says it has deployed several hundred troops along the border with Cameroon to stop rebels from abducting civilians after armed men kidnapped a dozen Cameroonians, including a popular traditional ruler this week.
Read more »
Chad and Its Mysterious Allies: A Complex Scheme in Weapons Supplies to the RSFIn the growing competition for influence in Africa and the emergence of new influential players such as China, the 'Old World' powers are increasingly forced to seek out situational allies and set up informal military-political partnerships to safeguard their geostrategic interests.
Read more »
Prison Journalism: My time with Chad in Pollsmoor Correctional serviceDavid van Nek was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison from 2013 until 2015 and participated in the restorative justice programme.
Read more »
Chad Ends Defense Agreement with France, Eyes Closer Ties with RussiaChad's foreign ministry announced the end of the country's defense cooperation agreement with France, aiming to redefine strategic partnerships. This move reflects growing regional shifts away from French influence towards closer ties with Russia.
Read more »