Chad is a Central African country known for its history of conflict. Another interesting, yet sad, fact about Chad is that it has been ruled since 1990 by the same person, Idriss Déby Itno. Mr. Deby Itno came to power through a coup and has since been in office. He is currently running for a sixth term as President of the Republic and his regime has unleashed a crackdown on Chad’s political opposition ahead of the April 11, 2021, presidential election to pave the way for his victory. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has reported the developing situation in Chad. Here is an excerpt:

A, harming Chadians’ right to freely choose their elected representatives, Human Rights Watch said today. Incumbent President Idriss Déby Itno, who has ruled Chad since December 1990 when he removed the autocratic leader Hissène Habré, is running for a sixth term.

Since February, a coalition of nongovernmental groups, labor unions, and opposition political parties have organized peaceful demonstrations in the capital, N’Djamena, and other cities across the country, despite a government ban on public gatherings. Witnesses described how security force members beat protesters with whips, sticks, and batons; pulled a wounded person out of a car and beat other passengers; arbitrarily arrested scores of people, and, in the attack on the home of an opposition leader, killed his mother. One protester said he was subjected to electric shocks while in detention.

“As many Chadians are bravely taking to the streets to peacefully call for change and respect of their basic rights, Chad’s authorities have responded by crushing dissent and hope of a fair or credible election,” said Ida Sawyer, deputy Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “The authorities should respect freedom of speech and assembly, ensure that police exercise restraint during opposition protests, and urgently investigate the deadly assault on the family of an opposition leader and other allegations of abuse.”

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