N’Djamena: A new generation of first-time voters in Chad, one of the world’s poorest and youngest countries, will elect a president on Monday with a mixture of hope, anxiety and disappointment.
People aged between 10 and 24 make up a third of the population of the Central African nation, which has been ruled by Debi’s grandson for 33 years with an iron fist, according to UN figures.
Idriss Amidou took to the streets of the capital N’Djamena to support Mahamat Idriss Debi Itno wearing a baseball cap and a T-shirt with the slogan “Let’s march with Mahamat”.
Debi’s father, Idriss Debi Itno, was appointed head of state by the military junta after his death. This is his first choice.
Amidou, who until now had no interest in politics, decided to vote for the first time and tried to get his friends to vote for Debbie.
The 26-year-old literature student wants to invest more in higher education. “(Debi) is the only candidate who offers hope.”
Debi took office in 2021 after he died in a battle with rebels in 2021, after thirty years in power.
Amidou said the ruling family “knows how to run the country” despite opposition protests over Debi’s grandson’s succession.
Debi is a “viable candidate to take the country forward,” said 18-year-old Mahamat Ibrahim, standing outside one of the many campaign offices for the 40-year-old army general from N’Djamena.
Ibrahim, who is old enough to vote, is proud to help decorate the capital with posters emblazoned with the candidate’s initials.
On the other hand, Eric Bendiguim, a 25-year-old law student at the University of N’Djamena, wants his grandson out when he chooses a massage.
“MIDI has failed”.
“We don’t have roads. We don’t have electricity. We don’t have good schools. We don’t have enough to eat. It’s sad.”
The 40-year-old Bendigoim is a strong supporter of Masra’s Succes party, Transformers, and Déby’s election opponent, and has taken part in rallies across the country that have drawn huge crowds.
According to him, Masra, the opponent of Deby, who is allied with the military rulers and became prime minister five months ago, said that the opposition did not betray or the junta.
Masra said he was “the only real opponent” among the 10 candidates in the election and that he would “change the country”.
Nnguemadje Makobaye, 20, who is studying to become a French teacher, agrees.
“In the past, we trusted our opponents and they betrayed us at the last minute. This time, there is hope in Sukes Masra,” said Makobaye. But he also has concerns.
“This regime really wants to stay in power, even if Masra won a democratic victory.
“They will be open and they will find other ways,” he said.
Kristelle Denerambaye, 20, said all applicants were left “unmoved”.
“If I don’t believe them, it’s because I haven’t seen anything concrete,” he said.
“They say politics is the art of lying. They speak well. They know how to talk to people.
“But I don’t believe in words. I want action.”
Michael Ramadane, a 22-year-old rapper, stood in a tent in the hot sun and said he couldn’t believe he would vote on Monday.
“Our parents went through terrible things in this country.
“Every election they promise to change, but it’s always the same old story, the same lie.”
He recently expressed his fears for Chad’s future in his song “Dig Your Pot.”
Now, he is anxious to see his relatives gather food supplies in case the election turns violent.
“Everything can be reversed at the last minute,” he said.
“Anything is possible in this country.”
