Tension In Chad Ahead Of Deby's Fifth Term
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published August 08, 2016 | 11:09 AM
N'DJAMENA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Augst,2016) - Chad's President Idriss Deby is set to be sworn in Monday for a fifth term in power, facing persistent resistance from an opposition that alleges his re-election was a "political hold-up". Heavily-armed security forces cracked down at the weekend, using tear gas to disperse opposition activists who rallied despite an official ban in the poor, landlocked nation. One young protester was shot dead on Sunday, opposition and police sources said. "We are in the right.
It's the government that is acting illegally by preventing political parties from expressing themselves," Saleh Kebzabo, Deby's nearest rival in the April presidential vote, said Saturday. Various groups have planned a day of "mourning" Monday, when Deby is to be inaugurated in the capital N'Djamena before about a dozen African heads of state and other guests such as French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.
On Friday opposition activists announced they had filed a complaint in court alleging "high treason" against Deby, claiming "illegal taking of power by violence" and "misuse of public money". Deby came to power in 1990 and was re-elected in a first round vote in April with 61.5 percent of ballots cast against 12.8 percent for Kebzabo, according to official results. The opposition called Deby's re-election a "political hold-up", saying their own count showed no candidate won outright at the first stage. The election campaign was marred by a clampdown on demonstrations by unions and rights groups demanding a change of leadership and democratic reforms.
Arrests and disappearances of activists are common in the nation of 12 million.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
IHC adjourns PTI founder, Qureshi's appeal till Thursday
CDWP recommends 3 projects to ECNEC for approval
Tarar assures APNS to resolve issues of newspaper industry
Pakistan urged to capitalize on economic stability, for Tobacco Tax Reforms
N. Macedonia polls set to upend ties with EU neighbours
Croatia's ruling party reaches coalition deal with right wing
Bayern coach Tuchel makes three changes for Madrid showdown
Olympic flame arrives on French soil for Paris Games
Punjab Finance Minister announces expansion of Social Protection Authority's man ..
Kenya inks deal to end doctors' strike
Brazil flooding death toll reaches 100
Lebanon security source says five killed in Israeli strikes on south
More Stories From World
-
Football: South African Premiership results
32 minutes ago -
Football: South African Premiership table
32 minutes ago -
Fiorentina reach Europa Conference League final
42 minutes ago -
Fiorentina reach Europa Conference League final
1 hour ago -
Football: Europa Conference League results
2 hours ago -
Tennis: Rome Open results - 1st update
2 hours ago
-
Tennis: Rome Open results
2 hours ago -
Track cycling star Benjamin Thomas escapes to win Giro 5th stage
2 hours ago -
Osaka wins in Rome after three-year absence
2 hours ago -
N. Macedonia polls set to upend ties with EU neighbours
3 hours ago -
Croatia's ruling party reaches coalition deal with right wing
3 hours ago -
Kenya inks deal to end doctors' strike
3 hours ago