Chad has officially concluded its nearly four-year political transition, which began following the death of former President Idriss Déby Itno in 2021. The final step in this transition came with the announcement of the provisional results of Chad’s senatorial elections on February 25, 2025. This marks the full implementation of the country’s new Constitution, which was promulgated in December 2024.
The Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), led by President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, triumphed in the election, securing 45 out of 46 Senate seats. The election witnessed an unprecedented voter turnout of 99.92%. This result is seen as a major victory for the MPS and a significant step toward solidifying the new political framework that was laid out in the country’s recent constitutional reforms.
The conclusion of the senatorial elections finalizes the institutional structure that the new Constitution outlined, which also facilitated the May 2024 presidential elections. In those elections, President Mahamat Déby was elected with 61.03% of the vote, further consolidating his leadership. Although his primary opponent, Succès Masra, initially contested the results, he later accepted the outcome in February 2025, a move that was seen as contributing to political stability in the country.
With the presidential election, a fully functioning National Assembly, and a newly established Senate, Chad now possesses the key institutions that make up its reformed governance structure. However, despite these accomplishments, President Déby faces significant challenges ahead. The country continues to struggle with decentralization, national security threats, and ongoing economic hardship, particularly given its reliance on oil revenues.
While the MPS has hailed the political transition as the dawn of a “new era of sustainable institutional governance,” international observers remain cautious. Many question whether this shift truly represents a break from military influence or simply reinforces the political dominance of the Déby family. As Chad moves forward, the international community will be watching closely to see whether the country’s newfound political institutions can deliver on promises of stability, democracy, and long-term prosperity.
