Chad’s junta-appointed PM Succes Masra announces bid for presidency

The recently appointed Prime Minister by the military authorities in Chad, Succes Masra, has declared his intention to run for presidency, a week after the interim president Mahamat Deby announced his candidacy.

Former opposition leader Mr Masra, who signed a reconciliation agreement with Mr Déby upon his return from exile, has taken a significant step forward by being appointed prime minister in January.

Addressing supporters at a rally on Sunday, he expressed his aspiration to lead the nation to foster unity and mend divisions among the people.

However, his bid for the top position has faced criticism from the opposition, who perceive it as a strategy to lend an illusion of diversity to an election where Mr Déby is widely tipped to emerge victorious.

The election in Chad is expected to go in favour of the incumbent interim president after the opposition leader Yaya Dillo, was killed in a shootout with security forces on February 28.

The government accused him of orchestrating a fatal assault on the country’s security agency, an allegation he vehemently refuted.

Dillo’s demise came at a time when he was widely regarded as the primary challenger to Mr. Déby in the upcoming election.

Mr Déby ascended to Chad’s leadership following the death of his father, who was killed by rebels after ruling the nation for thirty years.