Share

Chad army deploys in force after junta chief elected president, prime minister calls for protest

accreditation
0:00
play article
Subscribers can listen to this article
Police patrol the streets in N'Djamena on 10 May 2024, a day after the announcement of the results of Chad's presidential election. (Issouf SANOGO / AFP)
Police patrol the streets in N'Djamena on 10 May 2024, a day after the announcement of the results of Chad's presidential election. (Issouf SANOGO / AFP)
  • Soldiers were deployed in N'Djamena after Chad's coup leader was declared the winner of its election.
  • The Prime Minister has called for peaceful protest, after predicting the vote would be rigged.
  • Succes Masra officially received less than 19% of the vote, compared to a 61% count for  General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno.


Chadian soldiers deployed on Friday in large numbers across several districts of the capital N'Djamena after late-night celebrations marked the presidential election victory of junta leader General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno.

Even before the official results gave Deby more than 61% in Monday's ballot, the presidential guard had parked many armoured vehicles on major junctions and thoroughfares.

AFP reporters said the number of troops on the streets Friday appeared considerably larger than after previous elections.

Just hours before the official results were announced late Thursday, Prime Minister Succes Masra had declared himself victor of the vote.

The former opposition leader appointed prime minister in January, had warned that Deby's team would rig the results to ensure he won.

Masra urged Chadians to "mobilise peacefully but firmly... to prove our victory".

The electoral commission said Masra had garnered only 18.53% of the vote.

Deby, 40, had been proclaimed transitional president three years ago by the army after his father, iron-fisted president Idriss Deby Itno, had been shot dead by rebels.

No stepped-up security was visible around the headquarters of Masra's Transformers' party in the south of the capital on Friday.

Soldiers had let off repeated bursts of gunfire in the air near the party HQ after the results were announced late Thursday, both in celebration of Deby's win and to deter protesters from gathering.

Heavily-armed members of the presidential guard wearing their red berets were out Friday on main roads alongside an impressive number of armoured vehicles, AFP journalists reported.

But the capital appeared calm ahead of Friday's Muslim prayers and people went about their business.

Near the presidential palace, Deby's supporters had shouted, sung, blasted car horns and fired their own guns in the air in celebration.

At least two teenagers were wounded by falling bullets, an AFP journalist saw.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Are you aware that there will be three ballots for the general elections this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes - and I know how each ballot works
51% - 627 votes
I had no idea - let me read up on it
14% - 175 votes
I am somewhat aware, but I'm not 100% confident on what each one is for
35% - 437 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.16
+0.0%
Rand - Pound
23.08
-0.6%
Rand - Euro
19.72
-0.4%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.11
-0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.12
-0.1%
Platinum
1,052.35
-3.9%
Palladium
1,028.00
+1.6%
Gold
2,425.02
+0.5%
Silver
31.68
+0.6%
Brent Crude
83.98
+0.9%
Top 40
73,734
+0.7%
All Share
80,073
+0.7%
Resource 10
64,750
+1.8%
Industrial 25
110,656
+0.1%
Financial 15
17,320
+0.8%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE