“Political tensions in Chad: One week before the vote on the new Constitution, the country is preparing to make a crucial decision for its future”

One week before the vote on the new Constitution in Chad, the political atmosphere is electric. Supporters of “yes” and “no” are mobilizing intensely to defend their positions, while others prefer to boycott the referendum. Last week, the capital, Ndjamena, was the scene of numerous political meetings, bringing together activists from different parties.

Supporters of the Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), the former ruling party, and their allies are confident of victory. They insist on the importance of preserving the unity and integrity of Chad. “The opposing camp is proposing a division of the country. We must vote ‘yes’ to guarantee the continuity of the constitutional order. Vote for a united and indivisible Chad”, declares Mahamat Zen Bada Abbas, vice-president of the coalition in favor of “yes”.

However, the “no” camp remains determined to oppose the new Constitution. They criticize the unitary state model, which they believe has favored rebellions and crises. They call for a “no” vote against the proposed Constitution, arguing that advanced decentralization would be more beneficial than federalism. Brice Mbaimon Guedmbaye, national coordinator of the “no” camp, declares: “The unitary Constitution has not been advantageous for us. It has given rise to conflicts and wars. We must say ‘no’ to this anti-federalist propaganda.”

Meanwhile, the Consultation Group of Political Actors (GCAP), which advocates a boycott of the referendum, believes that the vote, whether in favor of “yes” or “no”, will not change anything in the daily lives of Chadians. . They invite us to say “stop” to the referendum and highlight the real concerns of the population, such as the closure of schools for two months and the shortage of fuel. Nassour Ibrahim Koursami, president of the Les Patriotes party and member of GCAP, declares: “Voting means accepting to live without economic development. We must do everything to prevent this referendum.”

It is undeniable that the political climate is tense as the vote on the new Constitution in Chad approaches. The “yes” and “no” camps compete to convince voters, while some prefer to disengage from the process. The destiny of the country therefore rests in the hands of the Chadian population, who will have to make a crucial decision for their future. The result of the referendum will undoubtedly have a considerable impact on Chad’s political future. Now all that remains is to wait for voting day to find out the Chadians’ choice.