CHAD: Chad's President Idriss Deby led his supporters to vote yesterday in a one-sided election expected to keep him in power, brushing aside an opposition boycott and a rebel threat of violence.
Despite a slow initial turnout at makeshift polling stations set up on the dusty pavements of the capital N'Djamena, former army chief Deby is almost certain of winning a third five-year term because his four "opponents" are mostly government allies.
Chad's fragmented opposition boycotted yesterday's poll as a farce, following elections in 1996 and 2001 they say were fraudulent.
Analysts say the 1,200-strong French military contingent in Chad keeps the balance of power firmly in Deby's favour. French Mirage jets fly daily reconnaissance missions over the country, twice the size of France. "This election is under the protection of the French Mirages," one foreign ambassador said yesterday, pointing to the sky as French warplanes roared over the capital.
Many of the 5.8 million voters will have to walk several kilometres to vote and officials say results may take several days to be released.