Tinubu to attend Mahamat Déby’s inauguration as Chad’s president

This event comes after President Déby was declared the winner of the presidential election in Chad earlier this month, a decision that was upheld by the Constitutional Court of Chad.

According to a statement announced by presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu will be joined by several senior government officials on this trip, and they will return after the inauguration ceremony.

Déby, who is Chad’s current junta leader, secured victory in the presidential election held on May 6 with 61% of the votes, as officially declared.

Prime Minister Succes Masra’s attempt to challenge the election results was dismissed by the Constitutional Council, despite his disagreement with the outcome. Masra, though disappointed, urged his supporters to remain peaceful.

The election marked the transition from military rule which had been in place for three years, in a nation pivotal to the fight against extremism in the Sahel region of Africa.

Following his victory, Deby declared his dedication to all Chadians and pledged to fulfill his electoral promises.

His closest rival, Masra, secured 18.5% of the vote, while Albert Pahimi Padacke, a former prime minister, garnered 16.9%, according to the Constitutional Council’s president, Jean-Bernard Padare.

Deby and Masra opposed eight other candidates, all of whom were either relatively unknown or not perceived as hostile to the administration.

Early in the campaign, many projected a landslide victory for Deby, 40, whose late father ruled Chad for three decades before him.

Masra, a 40-year-old economist, stunned everyone by attracting large crowds throughout his campaign, prompting him to predict that he could win or force Deby to a second round.

Recall since gaining independence from France in 1960, the country has experienced coups, authoritarian rulers, and insurgent attacks.

Deby was declared temporary president by fellow army generals in 2021 after his father, Idriss Deby Itno, was assassinated by insurgents.

He pledged an 18-month transition to democracy, but then extended it for two years.