GOVERNMENT
The constitutional basis for the government is the 1996 Constitution. A strong executive branch headed by the president dominates the Chadian political system. Following his December 1990 military overthrow of Hissein Habre, Idriss Deby in the mid-1990s gradually restored basic functions of government and entered into agreements with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) intended to carry out substantial economic reforms, including the Doba Basin oil extraction project.
The president
has the power to appoint the prime minister and the Council of
State (or cabinet), and exercises considerable influence over
appointments of judges, generals, provincial officials and heads
of Chad’s parastatal firms. In cases of grave and immediate
threat, the president, in consultation with the National Assembly
President and Council of State, may declare a state of emergency.
Most of the Deby’s key advisers are members of the Zaghawa
clan, although some southern and opposition personalities are
represented in his government.
According
to the 1996 Constitution, National Assembly deputies are elected
by universal suffrage for 4-year terms. Parliamentary elections
were last held in April 2002, with President Deby’s MPS
party winning a large majority. The Assembly holds regular sessions
twice a year, starting in March and October, and can hold special
sessions as necessary and called by the prime minister. Deputies
elect a president of the National Assembly every 2 years. Assembly
deputies or members of the executive branch may introduce legislation;
once passed by the Assembly, the president must take action to
either sign or reject the law within 15 days. The National Assembly
must approve the prime minister’s plan of government and
may force the prime minister to resign through a majority vote
of no confidence. However, if the National Assembly rejects the
executive branch’s program twice in one year, the president
may disband the Assembly and call for new legislative elections.
In practice, the president exercises considerable influence over
the National Assembly through the MPS party structure.
Despite
the Constitution’s guarantee of judicial independence from
the executive branch, the president names most key judicial officials.
The Supreme Court is made up of a chief justice, named by the
president, and 15 councilors chosen by the president and National
Assembly; appointments are for life. The Constitutional Council,
with nine judges elected to 9-year terms, has the power to review
all legislation, treaties and international agreements prior to
their adoption. The Constitution recognizes customary and traditional
law in locales where it is recognized and to the extent it does
not interfere with public order or constitutional guarantees of
equality for all citizens.
Principal
Government Officials
President--Idriss Deby
Prime Minister--Youssouf Saleh Abbas
Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Integration--Moussa Faki
President of the National Assembly--Nassour Guelengdouksia Ouaidou
Ambassador to U.S.--Mahamat Adam Bechir
The
Republic of Chad maintains an embassy
in the United States at 2002 R Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009
(tel: 202-462-4009; fax 202-265-1937).
Type:
Republic.
Independence: August 11, 1960 (from France).
Branches: Executive--president (head of state),
prime minister, Council of Ministers. Legislative--National Assembly
(unicameral) Judicial--Supreme Court; Court of Appeals; criminal
courts; magistrate courts president (head of state, president
of the council of ministers), council of ministers.
Major political parties: About 60, of which Patriotic
Salvation Movement (MPS) is dominant. Other major parties include
the Federation Action for the Republic (FAR); Party for Liberty
and Development (PLD); Rally for Development and Progress (RNDP);
Union for Democracy and the Republic (UDR); National Union for
Development and Renewal (UNDR); Rally for Democracy and Progress
(RDP); Viva Rally for Development and Progress, or Viva RNDP.
Suffrage: Universal over 18.
Administrative subdivisions: 18 regions.
Flag: Blue, yellow, and red vertical bands from left to
right.
