The Déby presidential level-ups just keep on coming
The former president’s son, who went from military ruler to elected president himself, can now unlock the real boss level: President-for-life.
Mahamat Ali in N’Djamena
Lawmakers aligned with the opposition walked out of Chad’s Parliament on Monday to protest a proposal that would effectively make Mahamat Déby president for life. In their absence, fellow legislators approved changes to the country’s Constitution that would allow the president to run for an unlimited number of terms.
Opposition party leaders Ngaradjina Roubakoua and Mahamat Ahmat Lazina walked out with other legislators from their respective parties, Rassemblement National des Démocrates Tchadiens – Le Réveil and Mouvement National pour le Changement au Tchad.
Defending the proposal, Tchoroma Hadji Woli Mahamat argued that presidential elections are an unnecessary expense, given that power is obtained through “divine emanation”.
After the walk-out, the national assembly passed a package of proposed constitutional changes. They took a slightly less radical position to Woli Mahamat’s: unlimited runs for the presidency.
Chad’s constitution is relatively new – and it was first adopted in December 2023. At the time, Déby was the military ruler of the country, having taken power after his father, Idriss Deby, was killed by rebels in 2021. At the time of his death, Déby senior had been president for 30 years.
The younger Déby was declared democratically elected in May 2024 polls that his opponents disputed. He can now aim for life presidency when the senate approves the most recent amendments, which are expected to sail through.