A large number of soldiers and police officers have been deployed onto the streets of Chad’s capital, N’Djamena after military leader Mahamat Déby was declared the winner of the presidential elections.
Even before the official results were announced on Thursday night, the presidential guard had parked many armoured vehicles on major junctions and thoroughfares, news agency AFP reports.
Succes Masra, an opposition candidate who is also Mr Déby’s prime minister, declared on Thursday night that he had triumphed in the first round of voting.
Mr Masra said victory had been stolen “from the people” and called for his supporters to “mobilise… calmy”.
Gen Déby, 40, was installed as Chad’s leader by the military after his father, Idriss Déby Itno, was killed during a battle with rebel forces in April 2021.
His victory means that the Déby family’s 34-year rule will continue.
There had been some opposition reports of irregularities on polling day.
Ten politicians who had been hoping to run were excluded by the constitutional council because of “irregularities”, which some say was politically motivated.
