Chad: Idriss Déby Is Sworn In As President After Disputed Elections.

Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, Chad’s president-elect, was sworn in on Thursday at a ceremony in the country’s capital, N’Djamena, attended by several regional leaders.

Deby’s inauguration came a week after the constitutional council confirmed that he had won the disputed election on May 6 with 61% of the vote. He seized power three years ago, following the death of his father, Idriss Déby, who had ruled Chad with an iron fist for 30 years.

Deby junior, a career soldier, promised to hold elections within 18 months, but his government postponed the poll, allowing him to run for president. Opposition leader Succes Masra, a staunch opponent of the junta, won an 18,5 percent share of the vote.

He unsuccessfully challenged the election results, which international NGOs described as neither credible nor free.

Chad’s president-elect, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, was sworn in on Thursday at a ceremony in the capital, N’Djamena, attended by several regional leaders.

Deby’s inauguration occurred a week after the constitutional council confirmed that he had won the disputed 6 May election with 61% of the vote.
Masra stepped down as Prime Minister on Wednesday and did not attend the ceremony.

Chad was the first country in the region to hold elections after a series of coups in the previous four years.