Chad’s Mahamat Deby confirmed as winner of disputed presidential election

Deby’s win prolongs the rule of the family that has had a firm grip on power for decades.

Chad’s constitutional council has confirmed Mahamat Idriss Deby as the winner of the May 6 presidential election after dismissing challenges by two losing candidates – cementing a victory that extended his family’s decades-long rule.

Deby, who seized power the day rebels killed his father President Idriss Deby in 2021 and declared himself interim leader, got 61 percent of the vote, well ahead of second-placed candidate Succes Masra with 18.54 percent, the council said on Thursday.

The oil-producing country is the first of a string of coup-hit states in West and Central Africa’s Sahel region to attempt a return to constitutional rule by holding elections.

It has remained a key Western ally in the fight against al-Qaeda and groups linked to ISIL (ISIS) in the Sahel region, even as Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso expelled Western forces and turned to Russia for support instead.

But Washington and former colonial power France have kept a wary eye since Chad’s air force chief last month told the US to halt activities at an airbase, citing problems with paperwork. The US announced a temporary withdrawal of at least some troops in response.