Chad’s recent constitutional amendment abolishing presidential term limits marks a major setback for democracy and the rule of law. The reform, fast-tracked through parliament and signed by President Mahamat Idriss Déby, allows him to remain in power indefinitely and extends presidential terms from five to seven years.
Human Rights Watch warns that this move dismantles vital checks on executive power and undermines citizens’ rights to political participation. Opposition lawmakers denounced the process as illegitimate, while the government defended the changes as “technical.”
The amendment follows a pattern of constitutional coups across Central Africa, violating the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. Chad’s history of repression—violent crackdowns on protesters, arbitrary arrests, and politically motivated prosecutions, including the 20-year imprisonment of opposition leader Succès Masra—illustrates the erosion of democratic institutions.
Human Rights Watch urges authorities to reinstate term limits, release political prisoners, and ensure transparent, inclusive constitutional reforms to restore checks and balances and protect citizens’ rights.