Chad’s opposition exits from presidential polls

 

A picture taken on April 23, 2011 shows Chadian opposition leaders Saleh Kebzabo (L) and Ngarlejy Yorongar waving to their supporters during a meeting in N’djamena. Thousands of people gathered in Chad’s capital today for a meeting organised by opposition leaders urging them to join a boycott of next week’s presidential “election circus”. Incumbent Chadian President Idriss Deby, who is seeking his fourth term, said on April 22, 2011 the poll would be “credible” adding that the real reason for his former challengers’ boycott was that “they realise they will be beaten”. AFP PHOTO / GAEL COGNE (Photo credit should read Gael COGNE/AFP via Getty Images)

Although the race for the presidential elections in the landlocked north-central African country of Chad has kicked up, activists are asking for their cancellation in the wake of main opposition candidates withdrawing from the fray.

Scheduled on April 11, the polls have been marred with controversies that included President Idriss Deby Itno’s decision to run for the sixth term, and restrictions imposed on main opposition candidates.

President Deby Itno, 69, leader of the Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), has been ruling the country since 1990 when he assumed power through a military coup.

His nomination sparked protests on the streets with three opposition candidates so far deciding to quit the race amid accusations of a security clampdown.

The home of opposition leader Notably Yaya Dillo whose nomination was rejected by the Supreme Court was raided by security forces on Feb. 28. Dillo, leader of Socialist Without Borders (PSF) party, claimed that his son and mother were killed during the raids.

The government, while admitting the death of two people said that the opposition leader and his men had launched an armed attack. Currently, he is in hiding and wanted by the police.

Another opposition leader Saleh Kebzabo of the National Union for Development and Renewal (UNDR) has also announced to stay away from the elections.

Describing current elections as nothing but a “charade”, he said that he will continue to oppose the president and his style of governance. He said tensions were simmering in the country, which may force the president to leave the office.

“We demand that these elections be canceled, because of assassination on Yaya Dillo and non-promulgation of modified electoral code, which constitutional court had sorted out,” said Djikodingam Maoundoe Decladore, a Chad-based whistleblower and human rights activist.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Kemba Didah Alain, national coordinator of the citizen movement, also called for the postponement of elections as there were no genuine candidates in the fray.

He said the nine candidates in the fray are “manufactured” and fielded by the incumbent president to make it appear a contest.