APA – N’Djamena (Chad) – The African Union (AU), at its 1152nd session, adopted the report of the Panel of Wise Men on the transitional government of Chad which states objections to its current members taking part in future elections.
The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union adopted the report of the Panel of Wise Men on its mission to Chad.
In the adoption communiqué, the AU PSC reiterated several of its positions and requests to the transitional authorities in Chad.
First, the PSC took note of the 24-month extension of the transition period decided by the participants in the inclusive national dialogue. However, it rejects any further extension of the transition.
Secondly, the PSC strongly condemned the non-participation of members of the transitional institutions in the post-transitional elections. According to the communiqué, this is in line with the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.
This excludes the transitional president, the head of government and the president of the National Transitional Council from standing in the presidential elections.
The conclusions of the inclusive and sovereign national dialogue held in N’Djamena from August to October 2022 give the green light to all transitional actors to stand for election in Chad at the end of the transition, if they so wish.
The PSC welcomed the establishment of a civilian government and calls on the transitional authorities to provide a clear roadmap with a precise timetable for the second phase of the transition process.
It encourages them to ensure an inclusive, comprehensive and transparent political transition process, with the participation of women and youth, in order to build a united and stable community.
Regarding the assassination of President Idriss Déby Itno, the PSC called on the transitional authorities to speed up the official investigation so that “the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to justice without delay”. However, the Chadian justice system sentenced members of the rebel group Front pour l’Alternance et la Concorde au Tchad (FACT), accused of being the perpetrators of this assassination, to heavy sentences in March 2002.
Finally, the PSC calls on the AU Commission to accompany the political transition in Chad within the framework of the AU-led support mechanism and to continue to work with the transitional government for a rapid return to constitutional order, in particular by providing technical support for the drafting of the new constitution and for the preparation and organisation of free, fair and peaceful presidential and legislative elections.
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