Chadian opposition boycotts December legislative elections: towards a lasting political crisis?

The legislative elections in Chad, scheduled for December 29, 2024, are already in the grip of a major controversy. Fifteen opposition parties, frustrated by what they perceive as an electoral farce, have announced their boycott. This bloc, made up in particular of the fiercest critics of the current regime, considers that the conditions necessary for a transparent and fair election are not met.

A vote deemed “a foregone conclusion”

For the opposition, this election is nothing less than a sham orchestrated by the power in place to strengthen its hold. They denounce a "biased" process where fundamental reforms were ignored. Their demands were nevertheless clear: revision of the electoral register, fairer electoral division and guarantees of true transparency. But faced with the absence of satisfactory answers, they chose not to participate in what they call a "fool's game"

For the opposition, this election is nothing less than a sham orchestrated by the power in place to strengthen its hold. They denounce a "biased" process where fundamental reforms were ignored. Their demands were nevertheless clear: revision of the electoral register, fairer electoral division and guarantees of real transparency. But faced with the absence of satisfactory answers, they chose not to participate in what they call a "fool's game".

The announcement of this boycott is not only a demonstration of discontent, but also represents a setback for the democratic transition process initiated after the death of former President Idriss Déby in 2021. His successor, Mahamat Idriss Déby, already under fire for his autocratic management, is accused of wanting to definitively establish his power by organizing elections "behind closed doors", without real political competition.

The Transformers Dilemma

While the radical opposition is turning its back on the elections, some parties are still hesitant. This is the case of the Transformateurs, the movement led by the influential opponent Succès Masra. Although he expressed his reservations, Masra suggested that participation would be possible if certain conditions were met. This includes clear measures to guarantee the transparency of the electoral process and the equitable participation of all actors.

The indecision of the Transformers reflects a fractured political climate where neither pro-government actors nor the opposition seem to find common ground. The preparation of candidacies by parties close to power, in parallel with this boycott, illustrates the complexity of the Chadian political landscape.

A democratic transition in danger?

This boycott is not without consequences. Refusing to participate in these elections could not only call into question the legitimacy of the future Parliament, but also deepen the political crisis in Chad. Some observers fear that this decision will accentuate the social tensions and political divisions already well marked since the establishment of the National Transitional Council in 2021.

Indeed, the opposition accuses the Mahamat Idriss Déby regime of using this transition as a tool to indefinitely prolong its control over the country, under the guise of democratic legitimacy. Without a strong opposition to counterbalance the pro-regime parties, the fear is that these elections will become a simple exercise in maintaining the status quo.

The path to fair and inclusive elections therefore seems more compromised than ever. And while some still hope for a last-minute miracle to restore confidence in the electoral process, it is clear that the road to true democracy in Chad is fraught with pitfalls.