N’DJAMENA: Chad’s President Idriss Deby took the oath of office on Monday for a fifth term in power, facing dogged resistance from an opposition that alleges his re-election was a “political hold-up”.

With tensions high a day after the death of a protester during an opposition march, around 14 African heads of state attended the swearing-in ceremony, including the presidents of Nigeria and Niger, both, like Chad, battling the Boko Haram jihadist group.

“I am the president of all Chadians,” Deby said in his inauguration speech. The 64-year-old veteran leader promised “a relentless battle against terrorism everywhere it threatens our interests and our security”.

Other Chadian allies, including leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso and Mauritania, gathered for the ceremony at a large hotel in the capital N’Djamena. French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian from the former colonial power also attended, sparking opposition dismay.

Deby, who first came to power in 1990, was re-elected in a first-round vote in April with around 60 per cent of ballots cast, against almost 13 per cent for opposition leader Saleh Kebzabo.

The opposition, which contests Deby’s re-election, has vowed to maintain a general strike throughout the day following a government crackdown at the weekend.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2016