As Chad prepares for local and parliamentary elections this Sunday, the atmosphere is marked by a deep sense of disillusionment and skepticism among many residents, particularly in the capital, Ndjamena. While candidates hold their final rallies, a significant portion of the population questions the potential for any meaningful change in the country’s political landscape.

Related:
French Military Base Handed Over to Chadian Army Amid Shifting Defense Relations

Residents of Ndjamena voice concerns about poor representation and express their hopes for new leadership that can address the city’s pressing needs, such as infrastructure and urbanization. Tadjo Djabongodi, a local resident, stated,

“There are a lot of things to be done. The city needs a lot of things for its urbanization.” However, this desire for improvement is tempered by a profound lack of trust in the electoral process itself.

Many Chadians remain disenchanted after the presidential vote in May, which saw the extension of the Deby family’s rule over the nation. This outcome has led to widespread apathy regarding the upcoming elections. As Samadar Abdou, another resident of Ndjamena, articulated, “We don’t have a real candidate who’s going to win, so I am not expecting anything. It won’t be any different from the elections that have already taken place.” This sentiment highlights a lack of faith in the ability of the elections to bring about genuine democratic change.

The ruling MPS party, on the other hand, is actively campaigning to maintain its majority, seeking to win all the seats in the town halls and parliament. Their stated goal is to provide President Mahamat with a stronger mandate, which only confirms their intentions of perpetuating their power.

Further complicating matters, the party of Succes Masra, the runner-up in the presidential election and former prime minister, has chosen to boycott the elections, a clear signal of their lack of confidence in the fairness of the process. Chad’s opposition remains deeply divided and fragmented, struggling to mount a credible challenge against the ruling MPS. This fragmented opposition further solidifies the dominance of the ruling party.

These elections come just seven months after the presidential election, which effectively extended the Deby family’s control over this Central African oil-producing nation, continuing a legacy of power concentrated in a single family. The upcoming local and parliamentary elections, therefore, are viewed by many as a formality rather than an opportunity for real political change in Chad.

EN ESTA NOTA: