Stakeholders in the ongoing transition process in Chad Republic have been tasked to maintain peace and calm to avoid endangering the significant progress made so far in the country’s back journey to democracy.
The Chad Republic’s 2024 Presidential Election was scheduled for May 6 and June 22, 2024, following a national referendum held in 2023.
The democratic process of the country was disrupted in December 2021 when the then President Idris Deby was killed in military action, leading to the formation of the transitional government, headed by son of the late Deby, Mahamat Deby, who is also contesting the top office in the ongoing electoral process.
In a statement Sunday, just a day before the first leg of the elections, Special Envoy to Tchad of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, congratulated the Transitional Authorities, the Chadian people, and all friends of Chad for their journey towards a democratic constitutional order through peaceful elections.
The statement serves as a reminder for the importance of peaceful and democratic elections in Chad’s transition process, and the need for all stakeholders to work together and also ensure a stable and prosperous future for the country.
He acknowledged the challenges faced during the transition process, just as he lauded the Tchadians for their patriotism, mutual tolerance, and spirit of compromise.
He stressed the need for maintenance of peace and good order during and after the elections, urging all presidential candidates, political parties, and the general public to patiently await the announcement of the results by the authorized body-ANGE.
The envoy urged the stakeholders to address challenges or grievances peacefully through the constituted electoral guidelines and laws or judicial processes.
Kingibe warned that any alternative approach would risk the tremendous progress and sacrifices made by all parties.
He, therefore, reiterated the continued support of the LCBC leaders for a peaceful inauguration of a new democratic constitutional order in Chad.
He said: “The transition process had not been easy or without often heated contentions. However, the Tchadians confronted all the challenges, weathered all the political and security storms and are now on the cusp of the final lap.
“Therefore, I call on all the presidential candidates, the political parties and leaders, and the general public to maintain the relative peace and good order demonstrated during the campaigns, continue to remain calm, and after the voting, patiently await the announcement of the outcome of the elections by the ANGE, the body legally authorized to announce the results.
“I further urge that any challenges, complaints or grievances that may arise are taken up peacefully for settlement through the constituted electoral guidelines and laws, or if necessary, the judicial processes. The alternative is to risk the tremendous progress and the fruits of the great sacrifices already made by all parties.
“I wish to reassure of the continued support to Tchad of the Leaders of the Lake Tchad Basin Commission as they look forward to the peaceful inauguration of a new democratic constitutional order in the country.”
