APA – N’Djamena (Chad) – The resignation by the prime minister comes 24 hours before the inauguration of president-elect Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno.
The question of his presence at the inauguration has been the subject of debate on social media in recent days.
The acting Prime Minister, Succès Masra, put an end to the debate. On Wednesday 22 May, the man who has led the government for almost five months handed in his resignation and that of the government to President-elect Mahamat Idriss Déby.
“With the end of the presidential elections, the results of which are known to all, the transitional government I have been heading no longer serves any purpose,” he said in his resignation letter.
Although it is customary for the government to be dismissed after an election, this resignation, coming 24 hours before the inauguration of the president-elect, sounds like Masra’s refusal to take part in the ceremony, according to Mbaindangroa Djekornondé Adelph, a political journalist.
A radical opponent of Mahamat Déby and his late father, Masra, leader of the Transformateurs, joined the transition in December 2023 with the signing of the Kinshasa accord. On his return to the country, he was appointed transitional prime minister in January 2024.
As running mate, he became the main challenger to transitional President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno in the presidential elections of 6 May 2024. He came second with 18.54 percent and contested the results, which gave Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno victory in the first round with 61 percent.
Although Masra felt robbed of the people’s victory, his appeals to the Constitutional Council were rejected.
Calling on his supporters to remain calm, the now ex-PM looks to the future, with the upcoming parliamentary and senatorial elections.
“For the political choices that lie ahead and that will affect the people who are waiting for change, my greatest patriotic prayer is that God will grace us with His wisdom and bless you, that He will bless the courageous and resilient Chadian people and that He will protect our country,” he implored in his resignation letter.
Will he be reinstated? No, say the leaders of the member parties of the Coalition for a United Chad, which backed Mahamat Deby’s candidacy in the presidential elections. At a dinner for members of the coalition, UNDR President Saleh Kebzabo strongly challenged the president-elect on the issue.
“Tomorrow, when it comes to governing, don’t look to the opposition to come and govern the country with you. Govern with those who helped you come to power,” he advised in a message that went down well with Mr Deby.
“The transitional period is over. This is a new page with a return to constitutional order. No more government of national unity. I will implement my programme with my coalition,” President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno responded.
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