Chad’s top court confirms Deby as elected president

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - Chad's Constitutional Council on Thursday confirmed transitional President Gen. Mahamat Idriss Deby as the winner of the May 6 presidential election.

Deby garnered 61% of the vote compared to his main challenger, Prime Minister Succes Masra, who won 18.54%, according to final results announced by Constitutional Council President Jean-Bernard Padare.

The Council said 75.78% of 8.2 million eligible voters participated in the election.

A court rejected Masra's bid to annul the result which he challenged after claiming victory.

Deby seized power in 2021 after the death of his father, Idriss Deby Itno, who died on the frontline of a war against rebels after ruling for 30 years.

The 40-year-old Deby pledged to hand power to an elected government after 18 months -- a deadline that was missed -- before postponing elections to this year.

He ran on the ticket of the ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS) party, founded by his father, after a new Constitution that was adopted following a December referendum, allowed him to seek election.

Deby also enjoyed the backing of a coalition of more than 200 parties.