Chad: Balthazar evokes « mockery », the UDP criticises Deby’s record

A few days before the presidential elections in Chad, the candidates are strengthening their presence among the population in order to obtain their votes. The candidate of the « ASTRE », Alladoum Djarma Balthazar, is in the province of Kélo, where he blasted the mockery of which he is the object, in a statement to his supporters. On the other hand, the UDP has drawn up a « negative assessment » of the 30 years in power of President Idriss Deby Itno. It also gave instructions for the electoral ballot of April 11, 2021, calling either to stay at home, to check on all candidates on the ballot except the MPS.

The countdown has begun for the various candidates for the presidential elections in Chad on 11 April, a week from now. Each is trying to convince more voters across the country, to try to put an end to the regime Idriss Deby Itno, the overwhelming favorite of these elections and who promises an « IDI KO » from the first round. The candidate of the Chadian Social Action for Renewal (ASTRE), Alladoum Djarma Balthazar, is in the province, in Kélo, where he blasted the mockery he is subjected to, in a statement to his supporters.

« We have been the object of all kinds of mockery because it is said that we are close to power. I told you that wizards know each other and often walk together at night. Today, those who denigrated have returned to Deby. Everywhere they have posters, « we support the candidacy of Marshal Deby », while we are facing Deby for a change. We are going to beat him on the evening of 11 April. Chad will have another president. We are not accompanying someone that God will bring back soon. He is 73 years old, » said Alladoum Djarma Balthazar.

According to Alladoum Djarma Balthazar, « resigning from this election is to leave the road free for Deby. « Let’s be careful. We can express ourselves, the people are a force. The people have the means to make Deby leave. Today, young people are demonstrating, going out into the streets, » he said, recalling that he mobilized for the release of protesters arrested in N’Djamena during the last marches. « The last demonstration, I was one of those who went to the central police station to ask for the release of the people arrested. The police told them: ‘you are fighting for us, we cannot continue to torture you. We are doing this against our will but with courage, » added Alladoum Djarma Balthazar.

In addition, the Union of Democrats for Development and Progress (UDP) presented a « negative assessment » of the 30 years in power of President Idriss Deby Itno. He also gave instructions for the 11 April 2021 elections, calling for either staying at home, ticking off all the candidates on the ballot paper except the MPS, or depositing, on 11 April, his voter’s card in the various headquarters of the opposition political parties.

« The majority of Chadian men, women and children die from preventable diseases due to lack of access to health care, health facilities and hospitals and qualified personnel. Most of the structures are obsolete, dilapidated and therefore non-performing, » said party president Max Kemkoye. « Public servants are languishing in poverty because of their miserable salaries. They can no longer resist the high cost of living that is suffocating them day by day, » Kemkoye criticised, saying the presidential elections were « rigged ».