N’DJAMENA —
Chad on Saturday extended the
transition period to democratic elections and agreed junta leader Mahamat
Idriss Deby Itno could run on the ballot, despite international opposition.
اضافة اعلان
The decisions were made by a national reconciliation
dialogue forum, which has been boycotted by most opposition members, two out of
three main armed rebel groups and civil society organizations.
The forum adopted by “consensus” a measure to
“extend the transition for a maximum of 24 months”.
Chad, one of the world’s poorest countries, has
endured repeated uprisings and unrest since gaining independence from France in
1960.
The hundreds of delegates also decided that Deby
would not only continue as transitional president but be eligible to run for
the presidency when elections are held.
These decisions will face “resistance from political
parties, civil society and the African Union”, said Chadian political scientist
Evariste Ngarlem.
Neither the EU nor the US would accept Deby’s
eligibility to run or the extended transition period, Ngarlem said.
“These partners will take sanctions against Chad and
the Transitional Military Council’s back will be up against a wall,” the
analyst added, using the junta’s formal name.
Government spokesman Abderaman Koulamallah said
there would be a debate on Monday before an official decision was announced.
Up to God
Deby took over in April last
year after his father,
Idriss Deby Itno, the country’s iron-fisted ruler for 30
years, was killed during a military operation against rebels.
He had vowed to hand back power to civilians after
18 months, a deadline that would run out this month.
Deby also pledged to Chadians and the international
community that he would not run in the upcoming presidential elections.
After coming to power, the junta of 15 generals
scrapped the constitution, dissolved parliament and dismissed the government.
The international community had urged Deby not to
extend the transition beyond 18 months, and not to run for president in the
eventual elections.
However, in June last year, the junta leader dealt a
first blow to those hopes, envisaging another 18 months of transition “if the
Chadians do not manage to reach an agreement” on the way forward.
He also said then that he would leave the question
of his presidential candidacy to God.
The national dialogue, which began on August 20 after
repeated delays, intended to seal changes to the constitution and other
reforms.
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