Chad’s ruling party, the Patriotic Salvation Movement, on Saturday appointed Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, the country’s transitional president, as its presidential candidate and honorary president.

The decision was reached during the 11th extraordinary congress of the party in the Chadian capital of N’Djamena.

Chad voted for a new constitution in a popular referendum in December last year, which paved the way for the presidential election to be held no later than October this year.

The political and military situation in Chad has deteriorated since 2021 following the death of former President Idriss Deby Itno.

His son, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, has since led a transitional military council to govern the country.