The European Parliament adopted by 635 votes to 27, with 31 resolutions on the situation in Chad.
The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, Renew, Greens/EFA and the ECR groups.
As a reminder, on 20 April 2021, the Chadian President Idriss Déby Itno, who had been in power for 31 years, died in a military confrontation with rebel groups one day after having been declared the winner of the 11 April 2021 presidential elections.
Following the death of Idriss Déby, the Transitional Military Council (TMC) organised an unconstitutional transfer of power and installed a transitional government headed by Mahamat Idriss Déby, the son of the Chadian President. The TMC suspended the Constitution, dissolved the government and the National Assembly, and set up a ‘transitional charter’ to replace the Constitution for a period of 18 months, renewable once.
Parliament deplored the killing of President Idriss Déby and the recent violence and loss of life as a result of attacks by armed groups in the region. It reiterated its concern about the protracted crisis in Chad and the volatile security situation in the north, and strongly condemned the repeated violations of human rights and international and humanitarian law.
In addition, it also condemned the military seizure of power perpetrated by the TMC on 20 April 2021, the subsequent suspension of the Chadian Constitution, and the dissolution of the government. It rejected the establishment of a charter by the TMC which has not been subject to democratic consultation.
Parliament is convinced that current divisions within Chadian society cannot be addressed through military means and called on all parties to refrain from violent action, to engage in political dialogue, and to preserve the lives of the civilian population. It called on the TMC to ensure an unhindered and swift return to constitutional order and to ensure that democratic values are upheld. It noted that the appointment of a civilian transitional government including members of some opposition groups is a first step to returning to constitutional order.
The resolution called on the international community to support Chad in its efforts towards democracy.
Parliament stressed that Chad is and should remain a strong partner of the EU and reiterated its commitment to ensure dialogue and a peaceful solution to the current political crisis. EU funding allocated to the region should however be evaluated to ensure there is no misuse of funds.