Chad has just held its first parliamentary election in 13 years, and many are hoping it could bring real change and an end to military rule.
Voting ended at 6:00 PM on Sunday. The first set of results is expected by January 15, and the final results should be out by January 31.
But not everyone joined the process. The main opposition party refused to take part, saying the election wouldn’t be free or fair.
Chad has a population of 18 million people and is rich in oil, but it’s still one of Africa’s poorest countries. Since gaining independence from France in 1960, Chad has never had a peaceful transfer of power through elections.
On Sunday, over 8 million registered voters chose 188 lawmakers for a new National Assembly.
This election comes at a difficult time. Chad is facing security problems from Boko Haram and has also lost its long-standing military support from France, its key ally.
For many people, this vote is about more than picking leaders. It’s about hope—hope for peace, stability, and a better future.
Now, the big question is—will this election lead to real change? Or will Chad’s struggles continue? The world is watching closely.