Chad Lawmakers Approve Unlimited Presidential Terms, Extend Tenure to Seven Years
N’Djamena, Chad — September 17, 2025
Chad’s National Assembly has voted in favor of sweeping constitutional changes that extend presidential terms from five to seven years and remove term limits, paving the way for President Mahamat Idriss Déby to seek re-election indefinitely.
The amendment, passed by an overwhelming majority with 171 votes in favor and just one abstention, marks a decisive shift in the country’s political landscape. The new provisions will take full effect once they secure approval from the Senate on October 13, 2025, followed by presidential assent.
Supporters of the move argue that longer terms will enhance political stability and give the president more time to implement development programs. However, critics and pro-democracy activists warn that the abolition of term limits risks entrenching power and weakening democratic accountability.
The reform comes as part of a broader constitutional overhaul following years of political transition and contested elections after the death of former president Idriss Déby in 2021.
If signed into law, Chad will join a growing list of African nations where constitutional revisions have cleared the way for leaders to extend their hold on power.
PR Times Africa Media Limited
