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When Constitutional Reform Undermines Democratic Aspirations: The Case of Chad

March 10, 2026 In Issue Papers By

When Constitutional Reform Undermines Democratic Aspirations: The Case of Chad

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Chad’s recent constitutional amendment raises serious concerns about the country’s democratic trajectory. Approved by parliament on 3 October 2025 and promulgated by President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, the reform extends the presidential term from five to seven years and abolishes term limits. Opposition figures, including Succès Masra of Les Transformateurs, and organisations such as Human Rights Watch have criticised the process for lacking broad public consultation.

This issue paper explores the implications of the amendment for democratic governance in Chad and the wider region.

Download the full issue paper here. 

About the author

Author profile
Omolara Balogun
Head, Policy Influencing & Advocacy at West Africa Civil Society Institute

Omolara Balogun is an international development practitioner with more than two decades of experience in non-profit leadership and social change programming across Sub-Saharan Africa. She is a civil society specialist and advocacy strategist, focusing on democracy, governance, gender equality, social inclusion, decolonisation, social justice and ecosystem resilience.

She heads the Policy Influencing and Advocacy Unit of West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). She also oversees the Nigeria Office (WACSI Node), where she promotes the institute’s strategic interests in open civic space and an enabling environment for a dynamic, influential, resilient and sustainable civil society. Omolara is a thought leader, high-level convener and certified master trainer for the World Bank/IFC and Change the Game Academy (CtGA). She serves on the boards of several NGOs and non-profit coalitions in Africa and beyond.

She has academic backgrounds in Law and Development, Peace and Conflict Studies, International Relations/History, and Public Policy from universities in Nigeria, Ghana, Canada and the United States.

Author profile
Alnoudjim Tograbaye
Programme Assistant at 

Tograbaye Alnoudjim is an international development practitioner with more than 8 years of experience across West and Central Africa. Holding a Master’s degree in Governance and Regional Integration from the Pan-African University, he serves as Programme Assistant within the Policy Influencing and Advocacy (PIA) unit at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). He is also the author of Un regard de l’intérieur d’Afrique (A View from Within Africa), published in June 2020 by Éditions Mainabuc, in which he examines the endogenous challenges to development on the African continent. Drawing on a robust background in the humanitarian and civil society sectors, he actively contributes to the advancement of democracy and good governance throughout the region through his role at WACSI.

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