Chad to Further Postpone Transition to Democracy
Chad on Saturday
extended the transition period to democratic elections, while keeping the head
of the military junta on as head of state in the interim.
The decisions were made
by a national reconciliation dialogue forum, which has been boycotted by most
opposition members, two out of three key armed rebel groups and civil society
organizations.
The forum adopted by
"consensus" a measure to "extend the transition for a maximum of
24 months.”
The hundreds of
delegates also decided that junta leader Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno would not
only continue as transitional president but be eligible to run for the
presidency when elections are held.
Government spokesman
Abderaman Koulamallah said there would be a debate on Monday before an official
decision is announced.
Deby took over in April
last year after his father, Idriss Deby Itno, the country's ruler for 30 years,
was killed during a military operation against rebels.
He had pledged to hand
back power to civilians after 18 months, a deadline that would run out this
month.
He also pledged to
Chadians and the international community that he would not run in the upcoming
presidential elections.
After coming to power,
the junta of 15 generals, called the Transitional Military Council, scrapped
the constitution, dissolved parliament and dismissed the government.
The international
community had urged Deby not to extend the transition beyond 18 months before
the return of civilian rule, and not to run for president in the eventual
elections.
However, in June last
year, the junta leader dealt a first blow to those hopes, envisaging another 18
months of transition "if the Chadians do not manage to reach an agreement"
on the way forward.
He also said then that
he would leave the question of his presidential candidacy to God.
VOA
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