US urges Chad to be inclusive after junta chief wins vote

Washington: The United States on Thursday urged Chad to be more inclusive to political rivals after junta leader General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno won...

Washington: The United States on Thursday urged Chad to be more inclusive to political rivals after junta leader General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno won an election cast as ending military rule.

The United States, which along with former colonial power France has had security ties with the Sahel nation, said it welcomed the holding of the election but that it was "concerned" by the exclusion of multiple rivals to Deby.

"Although there were troubling shortcomings, we welcome the milestones in Chad's transition process," including the election and talks with insurgents, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

"We urge Chadian authorities to work with all stakeholders -- especially political parties and civil society organizations -- to address any concerns with this election and strengthen the inclusivity and transparency of Chad's institutional framework for future elections," he said in a statement.

Final results of the May 6 vote announced Thursday gave Deby -- whose late father ruled Chad for three decades until he was killed in 2021 -- 61 percent of the vote.