In Chad, local elections were held on 22 January. They were the first local elections in the 50-year history of the country.

A total of 42 (or 43) municipal councils were to be elected. According to Tchadactuel, the ruling party, the Mouvement patriotique pour le salut (MPS), was facing a united opposition list under the heading of the Coordination des partis politiques pour la défense de la constitution (CPDC) in 32 of the 42 contests. The counting has taken some time. However, Jeune Afrique is now reporting the first results.

Unsurprisingly, the MPS is the main party, winning 12 of the 43 councils, including 6 of the 10 arrondissements in the capital, N’Djamena. In addition, it won a number of other contests in alliance with client parties. Moreover, CPDC did not win any contests. That said, the report identifies opposition victories in a number of significant towns.

Previously, local authorities were appointed by the president.