Chad 1989
The 1989 constitution had its roots in several peace agreements between Chad’s warring factions. A new constitution was part of an agreement with Acheikh Ibn Oumar’s Chadian National Front signed in Baghdad on November 19, 1988 and agreements signed in Libreville, Gabon as part of an accord between several other factional leaders and the Chadian government. The Baghdad agreements set up agreed upon terms that the draft would respect and a time limit to draft the new constitution. The 1982 “Declaration of Ndjamena” served as a provisional constitution, although it isn’t clear how binding it was.
Appointed by Habre in 1982, the National Consultative Council consisting of 18 commissions and 12 vice commissions, had the power to approve the draft of the new constitution. Habre formed a constitutional committee to prepare the language. The committee was made up of two members from each of the 14 prefectures, two members from the National Consultative Council with Allingue Boweyeu, a former opposition leader, serving as chair. The Party Central Committee met with the constitutional committee as part of the preparation of the initial text. The meeting was chaired by Habre.
A government funded educational campaign permitted local leaders an opportunity to submit briefs in public meetings held at all 14 prefectures with traditional local leaders, national elites, civil servants and the constitutional committee. In the capital city, the drafting sessions were not open to the public.
The draft was sent to the National Consultative Council for approval five months later. After a period for comment from the ruling party, the Council voted on individual provisions. Four days later, the draft was sent to the government before going to referendum. Habre, alone, had the final vote. The constitution gave great powers to the president and maintained a single party system.
A simultaneous vote on the constitution and a vote on the president were part of the agreement negotiated in Gabon. In December 1989, the constitution was ratified by popular referendum. 92% of the people turned out to vote. 99.94% voted in favor.
During the drafting process there were two coup attempts, the second one taking place on April 1, 1989 was staged by Idris Deby, an architect of Chad’s military victories against Libya. He was based in the Sudan. The Chadian National Liberation Front called for a no vote on the referendum and urged protests.
Result: The constitution was suspended in 1990 when Deby assumed power and Habre fled to Senegal.