Chad: First Parliamentary Congress faces constitutional reform with decisive stakes
Chad has reached a major institutional milestone with the inauguration of its very first Parliamentary Congress, bringing together deputies and senators under the leadership of the presidents of both chambers. As the supreme parliamentary consultation body, the Congress will address a crucial issue in its very first session: the technical revision of the Constitution of December 29, 2023.
Adopted by the National Assembly on September 15, the draft will be debated on October 13. Among the key proposed changes are the redefinition of the presidential mandate, the harmonization of electoral terms, the possibility for the President to lead a political party, and public financing of electoral campaigns. These points have sparked concern within the opposition.
The Political Actors’ Consultation Group denounces what it calls a “tailor-made” revision designed to strengthen the power of President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno. According to them, the reform reflects an intent to tighten control over the democratic space, at the expense of institutional balance. They have announced the release of a memorandum followed by citizen mobilization to “save the Republic in decline.”
In a country striving for stability and democratic consolidation, this reform could either enhance institutional coherence by clarifying the political rules of the game, or fuel political tensions if perceived as a tool for centralizing power. The legitimacy of the newly established Congress will thus be judged by its ability to uphold the general interest over partisan agendas.
