Chadians have approved a new constitution in a referendum that the military authorities say will pave the way for elections and the return of civilian rule, fulfilling what the military council had promised two and a half years ago and then postponed until the end of 2024. Despite the widespread boycott calls, the authorities in Chad said the referendum held this month was approved by 86% of the voters. Unlike some of the opposition, who rejected the constitution and called for federalism, the supporters of the new constitution claimed that the centralization of the state was the only way to preserve unity, while federalism would deepen “separatism” and “chaos”. The new constitution will maintain the unity of the state in Chad, while some of the opponents of the referendum demanded a federal state, saying that it would help promote development. Opposition groups have called for a boycott of the vote, saying the military council is firmly in charge of the referendum process.
