Chad’s interim military president beats prime minister to win election

Mahamat Déby, Chad’s transitional president, has been declared winner of the country’s presidential poll.

The Chadian National Election Management Agency said on Thursday that Déby won the May 6 election with over 61 percent of the votes cast, to beat Succès Masra, the incumbent prime minister and main opponent, who was said to have received 18.5 percent.

The victory allows Déby, the incumbent, to hold onto the presidency, and eliminates the chance of a runoff which would have happened had no candidate received more than 50 percent of the votes.

Déby’s victory also means his family will continue its 34-year dynasty.

Before the election results were announced, Masra announced himself winner in a Facebook broadcast.

The prime minister called on his supporters and security forces to oppose what he said was an attempt by Déby to “steal the victory from the people”.

“A small number of individuals believe they can make people believe that the election was won by the same system that has been ruling Chad for decades,” he said.

“To all Chadians who voted for change, who voted for me, I say: mobilise. Do it calmly, with a spirit of peace.”

Meanwhile, in a victory speech, the president promised to serve all Chadians — “those who voted for me and those who made other choices”.

Provisional results were expected by May 21 and the outcome by June 5.