Chad: UN appeals for "inclusive political dialogue" before the next legislative elections

A senior United Nations Envoy has called on Chadian political actors to engage in “inclusive dialogue” following the ongoing political and social tension in the country since the disputed re-election of President Idriss Deby in April, AFP reports.

The Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, called for the holding of an “inclusive and genuine dialogue” before Chad holds its legislative elections supposed to be held before the end of 2016. A date has not been set yet.

The envoy stressed “the importance for all stakeholders to engage in a peaceful electoral process and to refrain from any act of violence” after a tour in Central Africa that led him to Gabon, Congo and Chad, where he was received by their heads of State.

He also praised the “active role (by Chad) for peace and security in Central Africa and the Sahel region” where thousands of Chadian soldiers are deployed.

Chad has been governed with an ‘iron hand’ since 1990 by President Idriss Deby Itno, whose re-election in April was contested by the opposition.

The coalition “Force”, which brings together 15 parties, denounced early July “the explosive social situation” while officials began an indefinite strike against unpaid wages 10 days ago .

The opposition also called on the international community not to recognize the “dictatorial” regime of Idriss Deby few weeks before his inauguration on 8 August.

Several NGOs including Internet Without Borders recently condemned the “censorship” on social networks, cut across the country for almost three months.

Chad is an ally of France and the West in the fight against armed Islamist groups in Central Africa and the Sahel. The capital N’Djamena is the headquarters of the French military operation Barkhane in the Sahel.