For decades, Africa has held regular elections. Ballots are cast, election observation missions (EOMs) are deployed, and lengthy reports filled with recommendations are produced – only to end up, too often, gathering dust in forgotten drawers. The mistakes of yesterday are repeated tomorrow, for lack of a structured mechanism to learn from the past.
EISA is working with CSOs in Chad to break this vicious cycle. Building on its experience in, for example, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during the 2018 elections, the organization prepared follow-up on EOM recommendations and advocacy for electoral reforms as a central part of its work. In 2025, Chad became the testing ground for an innovative experiment that could positively reshape how electoral processes are improved across the continent.
A methodical, inclusive, and rigorous process
The journey was methodical. In May 2025, following the February senatorial elections – the final polls of the transition period – all the major domestic observation missions were, for the first time, brought together around the same table. Over two days, they compared findings, harmonized their conclusions, and produced a unified catalogue of recommendations. This collective effort was then presented to political actors and institutions, who had a rare opportunity to discuss, amend, and take ownership of the document – narrowing the usual gap between observers and decision-makers.
Over four intensive days in July 2025, coalitions of electoral observers, joined by EISA senior experts – Dr. Raphaël Ouattara (who pioneered EISA’s advocacy work in the DRC), Mathias Hounkpè and Justin Goré and Baidessou Soukolgué, EISA’s Executive Director, guided participants in developing a concrete advocacy strategy and a clear roadmap. This was not a theoretical exercise: it was about equipping local actors with the tools needed to turn recommendations into actual reforms.
Following the workshop, Dr. Raphaël Ouattara continued working with Chadian partners to consolidate the strategy, finalize the roadmap, and, crucially, begin its implementation.
The Birth of CRET: A Turning Point for Chad
September 26, 2025, will be remembered as a symbolic date. On that day, in the quiet setting of an internal meeting, civil society took a decisive step with the creation of the Coalition for Electoral and Institutional Reforms in Chad (CRET).
With a founding charter, a rotating secretariat of five members, and a validated roadmap, CRET quickly established itself as a key player. It fills a long-standing gap in the electoral cycle: post-election follow-up. Where recommendations used to fade into oblivion, the coalition now seeks to transform them into the basis for structured, collective advocacy.
For the first time, Chadian civil society has equipped itself with a permanent and coordinated framework to demand and support reforms vital to democratic consolidation. It is no longer just another report on the shelf but the start of a genuine movement for monitoring and action.
A Model for Africa
In a context where the ruling party, leveraging its parliamentary majority, has established a special commission to drive highly contested constitutional reforms, the birth of CRET takes on added significance. It provides civil society with a platform for collective expression and action, to weigh in on the debate, defend transparency, and remind stakeholders that institutional reforms can only be credible if they are inclusive.
CRET thus positions itself as a citizen counterweight – able to accompany and oversee reform dynamics without being trapped by partisan logics. More than an electoral monitoring structure, it can become a true democratic watchdog, carrying the voice of citizens in decisions that shape the country’s future.
If it manages to take root, this Chadian experiment could inspire far beyond its borders. It would show that even in tense political environments, it is possible to transform the neglect of recommendations into a culture of follow-up and accountability. A powerful signal for Africa, and indeed for all contexts where civil society seeks to embed democracy more deeply and durably.
This blog post was made possible by the financial support of the European Union under the Grant Agreement No. NDICI AFRICA/2022/435-927. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of EU.
