The Fédération de l’Opposition Credible (FOC) in Chad recently held a press conference to demand the immediate replacement of Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi as facilitator of the transition process in Chad. This request comes in particular from the leader of the Socialist Party without Borders (PSF), Yaya Dillo Djerou Betchi, a key figure in the democratic opposition in Chad.
Despite the efforts made by Félix Tshisekedi in monitoring the transition process in Chad, certain Chadian political groups believe that he is taking sides in favor of the authorities in place. Thus, the FOC not only called on the Heads of State of ECCAS to immediately replace the Congolese President, but also launched a petition to challenge his neutrality.
The FOC also asks the ECCAS conference to respect the recent decisions of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union which stipulate the ineligibility of transition leaders during electoral deadlines. If this request for transparency and credibility is not taken into account, the FOC plans to ask the African Union to divest the ECCAS of the Chadian file and calls for the signature of the petition to challenge President Félix Tshisekedi as facilitator .
It should be recalled that Félix Tshisekedi was designated facilitator in the Chadian crisis during an ECCAS summit held in Kinshasa in October last year. This mediation was entrusted to him following the violent demonstrations of October 20, 2022 in opposition to the continued power of Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, son of former Chadian president Idriss Déby.
The situation in Chad therefore remains tense, with requests for a change of facilitator in the transition process. It remains to be seen how ECCAS and the African Union will react to these demands and what the next steps will be in resolving the political crisis in the country.