• Parliament approves constitutional changes extending the presidential term to 7 years.
• Reform also creates a vice–prime minister post and lengthens deputies’ terms.
• Vote comes amid Chad’s economic hardship, with poverty and food insecurity rising.

Chad’s National Assembly, on September 15, endorsed the report of the Special Commission responsible for examining the proposed revisions to the December 29, 2023 Constitution.

The reform extends the presidential term to seven years, renewable without limit. It also creates a vice–prime minister post, lengthens the mandate of deputies from five to six years, and establishes public funding of electoral campaigns.

The bill was opposed by the RNDT–Le Réveil parliamentary group, particularly regarding changes to Article 77 on presidential powers. However, it passed with 171 votes in favor out of 188, backed by the ruling party and its allies.

The adoption comes at a time of persistent socio-economic crisis. According to World Bank data, 44.8% of Chad’s population lived below the national poverty line in 2022. Floods in 2024 affected 1.5 million people, destroyed crops, and caused livestock losses, worsening food insecurity for 2.4 million people. Inflation reached 5.7% and the current account deficit stood at 1.8% of GDP. Extreme poverty is expected to rise further under the combined impact of climate and security crises.

In his May 2024 inauguration speech, President Mahamat Idriss Déby said that socio-economic development would be the priority of his five-year term. He pledged that 70% of public spending would go toward improving access to education, water, health, energy, and food sovereignty.