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86% of Chadian voters approved the draft new constitution presented by the ruling military group since 2021, despite the opposition’s calls to boycott the referendum and protest its results.
The National Commission in charge of organizing the constitutional referendum, which took place on December 17, reported that the new constitution received the support of 86% of voters, while 14% rejected it. The participation rate was 63.75%.
This referendum is considered the military council’s first steps towards restoring civilian rule, which it promised two and a half years ago, then was postponed until the end of 2024.
The Commission praised the “good” conduct of voting, which faced only “minor challenges.”
The Supreme Court is expected to announce the final results on December 28.
Boycott the vote for the new constitution
The new constitution, which calls for a “unified and decentralized state,” does not differ much from the previous constitution that was adopted, as the head of state retains key powers and still has the possibility of running in the upcoming elections.
The spokesman for the coalition supporting the new constitution said that 86% of Chadians expressed their support for a unitary, highly decentralized state. He added, “However, we must also pay attention to the remaining 14% who voted not to approve and listen to the message they wish to express.”
On the other hand, the opposition, which called for a boycott of the vote, immediately expressed its objection to the results.
The head of the “Federal Bloc”, Yoana Panyara, who called for a no vote in the elections, told Agence France-Presse that they “changed the results that were compiled for a long time, in order to announce them today,” considering this a shame for the country. This opposition group demands a federal system in Chad.
Max Kimkoy, head of the Advisory Group for Political Actors, which called for a boycott of the referendum, stated that “the turnout rate was lower than what the commission announced, and everyone witnessed on voting day that the boycott was respected.”
The Déby dynasty continues in power
A large part of the opposition groups and civil society organizations believe that the goal of this referendum is to prepare for the elections of the transitional president, General Mohamed Idriss Déby Itno (37 years old).
On April 20, 2021, the army appointed Mohamed Idriss Deby as interim president to lead a military group that includes 15 generals, after the death of his father. Idriss Déby Itno Who was killed by rebels while heading to the front.
The former head of state ruled Republic of ChadIt is considered the second least developed country in the world according to a report United nationswith an iron fist for more than 30 years.
This raises concerns from the opposition, local and international NGOs that Déby’s “dynasty” will continue in power.
Prohibition of demonstrations
It is noteworthy that on October 20, 2022, a group of young demonstrators were shot by the police in N’Djamena, which led to the deaths of between 100 and 300 people, according to reports from the opposition and national and international non-governmental organizations.
The young men were participating in peaceful protests against extending the transitional period for two years. More than a thousand people were arrested before they were released, while others are still missing, according to reports from the same organizations.
Since that “Black Thursday” incident, all anti-authority demonstrations have been systematically banned, with the exception of a demonstration organized by a prominent opposition figure, Soxé Massra, who returned from exile after reaching a “reconciliation agreement” with Mohamed Déby.
