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Chad's Deby Expected to Win Another Term


Chad President Idriss Deby at his polling station in the second district of N'Djamena, Chad, April 10, 2016.
Chad President Idriss Deby at his polling station in the second district of N'Djamena, Chad, April 10, 2016.

Chad's President Idriss Deby is expected to win a fifth term in office as voters cast ballots in Sunday's election.

Deby, who is facing 13 challengers, has led the country since 1990 when he seized power in a coup.

The country has seen its economy boosted during Deby's time thanks to oil production, and its military is a key part in the regional fight against the Nigeria-based militant group Boko Haram.

But not everyone is happy with the president. Protesters rallying against the government in recent weeks have been met by police using tear gas to break up the demonstrations.

In February, Deby pledged that if given another term he would reinstate term limits that were scrapped in 2005.

He said the "life of the nation was in danger" when the decision was made to end the limits and that now there is nothing requiring a system where "changing leaders becomes difficult."

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