Chad's Political Landscape: Dominance of the Patriotic Salvation Movement

Chad's ruling party secured 45 out of 46 Senate seats in its first election, strengthening President Mahamat Idriss Deby's hold on power. The opposition partially contested results, alleging irregularities. Since Deby's rise, Chad has distanced itself from France, mirroring actions by Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.

Chad's political scene witnessed a significant shift as the ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS) claimed an overwhelming victory in the nation's first Senate election.

Provisional results indicate that MPS captured 45 of the 46 contested seats, consolidating President Mahamat Idriss Deby's control since he assumed power in 2021. This comes after a May presidential election where Deby secured 61% of the vote, despite contestation from opponents.

The electoral body revealed that the MPS dominance leaves the National Rally of Chadian Democrats (RNDT) with a solitary seat, claimed by its leader, Albert Pahimi Padacke, who voiced concerns over ballot irregularities in Moundou. Post-election, Chad has notably distanced itself from France, paralleling geopolitical shifts in West and Central African countries.