New article:
Success Masra, an opposition figure, was announced as the new Prime Minister of Chad’s 5th Republic following a referendum. The announcement was broadcast live on national television, but reactions within Masra’s political party, the Transformers in Ndjamena, as well as on the streets of the capital, were mixed.
As supporters gathered at Transformers party headquarters to celebrate, there were also skeptical and disappointed voices among the population.
A resident of Ndjamena expressed both optimism and disappointment:
“We have confidence that he will rise to the challenge that his predecessors were unable to meet. This is a positive step forward, but negatively, I expected Masra to be President. During the Marshal’s time, we offered him the job, but he refused. So why refuse to serve the father and now serve the son? This is why many young people are disappointed today, because many suffered because of Masra.”
Some feel humiliated and betrayed.
A Transformers supporter expressed her concerns:
“We want him to explain why. We will listen to him, but everything he has done is abnormal. So many people are in trouble because of him; people are in exile because of Mr. Masra. But today ‘Today he humiliated us.’
Civil society member Enoch Djondang stressed the need for peace, given the exclusion of Masra from the grand national dialogue in 2023, which was supposed to be inclusive and sovereign. Djondang sees Masra’s appointment as a timely decision, thereby avoiding potential conflicts arising from exclusions, which have historically led to unrest in Chad.
Djondang said:
“The fact that two important actors, those who control the military and repressive apparatus and those who influence the disaffected youth in the streets, are ready to work together despite external challenges and influences, is a step towards peace for us, Chadians.”
He believes the new prime minister can be a bulwark against the problems plaguing the country, rooted in poor governance. This appointment means that two young leaders from different political backgrounds can come together to move the country forward.
With Success Masra only days away from forming its new government, the Chadian people await with a mixture of hope and skepticism the coming developments for the country’s future.