Mahamat Deby reminds Chad he’s “not legally required” to hold a National Dialogue
N’DJAMENA–In a recent speech to the “Major Institutions of the Republic”, Mahamat Idriss Deby, Current Transitional President and son of 30 year President Idriss Deby Itno, reminded his audience “that nothing legally required me to organize this Dialogue”.
“I would like to remind you that nothing legally required me to organize this Dialogue. But I decided, in my soul and conscience, that it was the ideal way to seek social peace, national harmony to build a new Chad, reconciled with itself.”
Mahamat Idriss Deby, speaking to “Major” Chadian institutions on August 2nd
In that quote, Mahamat Idriss Deby is referencing the “Inclusive National Dialogue“, set to take place in a little over two weeks. With apprehension and tension rising among the civil society in light of failing peace talks with rebels and a fear of succession of power, MIDI’s statements do little to allay those fears. Chadian netizens have also expressed their ire regarding his statement about legal obligations, something that could easily be regarded as blatant hipocrisy faced with Mahamat’s unconstitutional rise to power.
Check out the full speech transcript in French here.
