On this radiant night of May 9, 2024, the Republic of Chad stirs up to news that sends vibrations through village drums, car horns, and even the joyful crackling of guns in N’Djamena: MIDI has been declared the winner of the May 6 presidential election. Supported by the Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS) and no fewer than 231 political parties along with myriad support offices, MIDI is poised to govern the country. However, even before the newly elected president is installed, challenges begin to surface.
As soon as the results are confirmed by the Constitutional Council, each political party and support office demands its slice of the governmental pie. Saleh Kebzabo, the former Prime Minister turned national mediator, becomes the champion of this movement, forgetting the restraint his new position requires. “Tomorrow, in governance, do not seek anything from the opposition to manage the country with you. Govern with those who helped you win power,” he proclaims with vigor. According to Kebzabo, MIDI must govern with those who supported his candidacy and let the opposition oppose, as it should. Kebzabo clearly has two opposition figures in his sights: Masra Succès and Pahimi Padaké, both potential prime ministers if MIDI decides to include the opposition to appease and unite the country.
At the center of this melee, MIDI finds himself facing an equation as complex as Schrödinger’s: how to satisfy everyone? Should he choose to govern only with his allies? (This would be at the risk of excluding a significant part of the population) or should he extend an olive branch and include the opposition? (This would be at the risk of disappointing his supporters?). Any choice would come with significant consequences, it is now for the new leader of the country to decide what is the best path forward for peace and prosperity in Chad.
For MIDI, the future appears to be that of a tightrope walker, balancing the diverse and varied interests of his supporters while trying not to fall into the chasm of political discord. But he must solve the equation.
Dr Pierre Kadi Sossou is the Country Director for EISA’s Chad office.
This blog post was made possible thanks to financial support from the European Union under grant agreement No. NDICI AFRICA/2022/435-927. The opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the EU.
