Chad interim president Deby kicks off campaign for vote set to end junta rule

15/4/2024 11:27

        Chad's interim President Mahamat Idriss Deby kicked off his presidential campaign on Sunday for an election next month meant to end three years of
        military rule on a promise to strengthen security and boost the economy.
        
        Deby's government is one of several juntas that seized power in West and Central Africa since 2020, drawing concerns of a democratic backslide.
        
        Chad is the first of these to organise elections despite regional and international pressure to swiftly hand power back to civilians.
        
        "Today we are at the final turn on the road to constitutional return," Deby told a large crowd gathered in scorching weather at the high-security event in Chad's capital N'Djamena.
        
        Deby seized power in 2021 when his long-ruling father Idriss Deby was killed on the front line against rebels in the north.