Chad’s Supreme Court has officially validated the results of the recent referendum for a new constitution, marking a significant step forward in the country’s transition to democratic governance. The referendum, organized by the military junta that has been in power for the past two and a half years, is seen as a precursor to the upcoming elections scheduled for the end of 2024.
According to the final results announced by the president of the Supreme Court, the « yes » side emerged victorious with 85.90% of the vote, while the « no » side received 14.10%. The voter turnout was reported to be 62.8%.
However, the outcome of the referendum has sparked controversy and raised concerns among members of the opposition and civil society. Many view the vote as a mere formality, designed to legitimize the military junta and pave the way for the election of General Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno as the country’s transitional president.
The Bloc Fédéral, an opposition coalition, lodged an appeal with the Supreme Court, alleging several irregularities in the voting process and calling for the annulment of the results. However, their appeal was rejected, further fueling suspicions of a power grab.
Critics of the referendum argue that the new constitution does not significantly differ from the previous one, and that it still grants an overwhelming amount of power to the Head of State. They see it as a consolidation of power for General Mahamat Déby, the son of former President Idriss Déby Itno, who ruled Chad with an iron fist for over three decades.
The political climate surrounding the referendum has been marred by opposition boycotts and violent clashes. The opposition, which called for a boycott, accuses General Mahamat Déby of orchestrating a second coup d’état. They argue that the results lack credibility and further undermine the country’s prospects for a genuine transition to democracy.
Furthermore, reports have emerged of widespread violence and human rights abuses during the referendum period. On the anniversary of the 18-month transition, protests erupted in the capital city of N’Djamena, resulting in the deaths of between 100 and 300 young men and teenagers at the hands of the police and military. Human rights organizations and the opposition allege that additional individuals were detained, tortured, or disappeared in the aftermath of the protests.
These events have triggered international concern and raised questions about the military junta’s commitment to upholding human rights and democratic principles. As Chad moves towards the scheduled elections in 2024, it remains to be seen how the international community will respond to these developments and whether genuine democratic reforms will be implemented.