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afrol News, 23 June - The aftermath of the 27 May 2001 Chadian presidential election have been marred by violence due to the widespread claim it had been rigged. Now, also the European Union joins the critics and questions the democratisation process in the country. It "will pay attention" to further developments, the EU stated on Thursday. - Noting the Constitutional Council's decision to declare the outgoing President, Idriss Deby, victor in the first round of the presidential election, the European Union regrets the many shortcomings in the organisation of the poll and the resultant irregularities, the EU communiqué states. The European Union especially stated its concern about "the restriction of liberties observed during the electoral period and deplores the use of force against public demonstrations and the brief but brutal questioning of all the opposition candidates." Opposition candidates had been arrested for several days after they protested against alleged widespread election fraud. On 30 May the government banned gatherings of more than 20 people. However, the political protests continued and the situation became steadily tenser. In one incident, a peaceful demonstration on 11 June by around 100 women in the capital, N'djamena, was violently dispersed by police. The women had intended to deliver a petition to the French Ambassador protesting the conduct of the presidential election. Tear gas canisters fired into the crowd injured several women. The EU concern about "the restriction of liberties" during the electoral period gives unexpected support to opposition claims elections had not been free and fair. While international observers rapidly claimed the elections had been fair, opposition candidates have alleged that they were marred by fraud and have called for the result to be annulled. Observers had focused on the poll, not on the intimidation and censorship during the electoral period. The European Union further pointed out that "its partnership with Chad is based on respect for democratic values and fundamental freedoms," thus threatening with possible consequences if the political situation should continue deteriorating. The EU is entitled to such a move through the Lomé Treaty, defining its political and economic cooperation with 77 developing countries. However, "realising that democracy in Chad is emerging in a difficult context, the European Union welcomes the calm shown by and mobilisation of the population on the occasion of the poll and hopes that the democratic process will in future take hold through the strengthening of the partnership's values," it states. Further, "the pursuit of political stability by means of the free exercise of civil rights is a precondition for development." Clearly stating its will to take action against Chadian President Deby, the European Union notes it "will therefore pay attention to the measures that the Chadian government adopts to ensure progress in the organisation of polls, in particular on the occasion of the next legislative elections." The EU constitutes one of Chad's major trade and cooperation partners. Lately, there have also been repeated calls on the World Bank to act against the Chadian government. The Bank has just given US$ 260 million in debt relief to the country and it agreed to finance the Chad-Cameroon pipeline last year, something that has given significant support to Deby's regime. According to Daphne Wysham of the Institute for Policy Studies, World Bank President James Wolfensohn has promised he would intervene, "in the event of human rights abuses in the country." The EU also has a strong voice in the Bank.
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