N’DJAMENA: Chad’s junta-appointed prime minister, Succes Masra, on Sunday said he would contest the May 6 presidential elections. Masra’s announcement comes just eight days after incumbent Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno announced his bid for reelection.
Former opposition leader Succes Masra had previously returned from exile and reached a reconciliation agreement with Deby Itno before assuming the role of prime minister earlier this year.
Masra’s candidacy has stirred controversy within Chad’s political landscape, with opposition factions alleging that it serves as a strategic maneuver to present a front of political plurality in an election where the junta leader is widely expected to secure victory, especially with key rivals deceased or in exile.
Electioneering for Chad Presidential Election
Addressing supporters at a campaign gathering attended by hundreds of activists from his Transformers party, Masra emphasized his intention to “heal hearts and unite the people” as part of his presidential bid.
In response to critics who questioned his alliance with the junta, Masra defended the reconciliation deal as “an agreement of the brave,” asserting that it aimed to ensure that their pursuit of justice would not devolve into a quest for vengeance.
Masra, aged 40, brings a history of opposition leadership to his candidacy, presenting himself as a candidate who seeks to navigate Chad’s complex political landscape while fostering unity and progress.
