US welcomes Chad elections despite “shortfalls”

The US said Chad’s presidential elections were a “milestone” in the transition process, despite shortfalls in organizing the vote and adjudicating electoral disputes.

“We welcome the peaceful conduct of the voting and its aftermath, although we regret the multiple casualties from celebratory gunfire that followed the announcement of provisional results on May 9,” the US State department said in a statement.

“Although there were troubling shortcomings, we welcome the milestones in Chad’s transition process, including negotiating with insurgents, undertaking a National Dialogue, holding a constitutional referendum, and conducting a presidential election,” it said.

The US also voiced “regret that Chad’s transitional government was not fully inclusive in setting up the institutions responsible for organizing elections and adjudicating electoral disputes.”

“This exclusion contributed to legitimate concerns about transparency that undermined public confidence in the election and in the democratic process,” it said, urging Chadian authorities to work with all stakeholders – especially political parties and civil society organizations – to address any concerns with this election and strengthen the inclusivity and transparency of Chad’s institutional framework for future elections.