Chad is set to become the first of Africa’s current junta-led states to transition to democratic rule with Monday’s presidential vote.
This will end a three-year transition imposed after the sudden death of longtime leader Idriss Deby Itno while fighting the rebels.
But with his son and successor, Gen Mahamat Déby, one of the favorites to win, there is some skepticism about whether this will bring about change.
Prime Minister Succès Masra is among his nine opponents and is seen as his biggest rival.
Ten other politicians who had hoped to run, including two prominent figures, Nassour Ibrahim Neguy Koursami and Rakhis Ahmat Saleh, were excluded by the constitutional council due to “irregularities”. For example, Mr. Koursami was accused of forgery.
But some argued that the decision to bar certain people was politically motivated.
Another potential opponent, Yaya Dillo, was killed by security forces in February while allegedly leading an attack on the National Security Agency in the capital, N’Djamena.
Activists called for a boycott of the elections, which they saw as a ploy to give a shine of democratic legitimacy to the Deby dynasty.
Many are still in exile after the deadly crackdown on opponents following the October 2022 protests.
However, Chad’s election is a milestone for West and Central African countries that have fallen under military rule since a series of coups d’état began in 2020.
It can serve as a model for boards seeking to maintain political influence after illegitimately coming to power.
The oil-exporting country of nearly 18 million people has not had a free and fair transfer of power since independence from France in 1960.
Idriss Déby overthrew Hissène Habré in 1990 and remained in command for the next three decades, until his death on the battlefield in April 2021, aged 68.
His son, now 40, took power in what opponents described as a constitutional coup and initially promised to remain interim leader for just 18 months, a period that was later extended. He also said he would not run for president.
Gen Déby tried to dispel the concerns of being part of a dynasty.
“If I am elected, I will serve my five-year term and at the end of my term it will be up to the people to judge me. As for a dynasty, our constitution is very clear – a candidate cannot serve more than two successive terms,” he told France 24 television channel.
Masra, who is also 40 years old, was appointed prime minister by Gen Déby in January, after an agreement was negotiated to repair the political fractures of the October 2022 protests.
The economist was accused by some of betraying the opposition, but rejected rumors of a secret post-election power-sharing deal with Gen Déby.
He urged Chadians to vote for him to end six decades of “obscurity” and “darkness.”
People are desperate for change in Chad.
But when it comes to voting, there is a mix of hope and despair.
I hope that this vote, whoever wins, can spark a new era of youthful leadership in the country, but despair as over the last three decades life has become more difficult for many in the country.
The results must be released by May 21, but a second round could be held in June if no candidate obtains more than 50% of the votes in the first round.
Additional reporting by BBC Monitoring.
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