The starting signal was given this Sunday, April 14th, for the electoral campaign leading up to the presidential election on May 6th, which is poised to conclude the transition initiated following the death of President Idriss Déby in 2021.
The face of his son, the transitional president, and candidate Mahamat Idriss Déby, dominates the electoral posters in the downtown area of the capital, Ndjamena, where the candidate held a massive rally in the afternoon, while his opponent, Prime Minister Succès Masra, toured the city leading a large caravan.
Former opposition figure turned Prime Minister, Succès Masra, kicked off the day on April 14th by launching a grand caravan throughout the capital. The candidate emphasizes proximity by engaging in numerous crowd interactions.
“Let’s turn the impossible into possible,” asserts Masra, who envisions winning in the first round and pledges education, water, energy, and employment opportunities for the youth in every village. “We wanted to dedicate this first day to greet the Chadians across the entire national territory. The message we will convey is one of hope but also of possibilities. We are the ones who turn the impossible into possible, and thus victory.”
Meanwhile, Mahamat Idriss Déby and the coalition “For a United Chad,” of which he is the candidate, demonstrated their strength in the afternoon by gathering several thousand people at the Place de la Nation, the largest square in Ndjamena, under heavy military protection.
The transitional president highlighted his record. “For three years, I have ensured the continuity of the state and preserved the unity of our country. I have maintained peace because I am a man of action. And I have honored my commitments,” he stated, before making numerous promises: building schools and 7,000 kilometers of roads, providing healthcare for all, diversifying the economy, and investing in agriculture. Most notably, he pledged 100% electricity coverage across the entire country.
A few minivans adorned with the colors of other candidates can also be seen. Former Prime Minister Albert Pahimi Padacké will commence his campaign on Tuesday before embarking on a tour of the country’s interior.