In a dramatic turn of events, Succès Masra, a key figure in Chad's political opposition and former prime minister, was apprehended early Friday morning amid accusations related to incitement and violence following recent community unrest that resulted in multiple fatalities. According to prosecutor Oumar Mahamat Kedelaye, Masra faces serious charges including inciting hatred, complicity in murder, and the desecration of graves, all tied to a week of escalating violence that claimed the lives of numerous women and children.
Supporters of Masra, leader of the Transformers political party and Chad's most recognized opposition voice, expressed outrage over his detention, perceiving it as another instance of the government's crackdown on dissent. Social media platforms have been flooded with calls for his immediate release, with activists rallying together with messages such as, “We demand his unconditional release,” articulated by Robine Zita, a supporter; and “Rise up, Transformers, for the immediate liberation of our president,” wrote activist Sabine Denehybe.
The broader African political landscape has seen an alarming trend of intolerance toward opposition, exemplified by Mali’s military junta's recent decree to dissolve all political parties and the arrest of dissenting voices critical of the regime. Similarly, in Ivory Coast, political disparities became evident when Tidjane Thiam, a leading opposition figure, was prohibited from participating in the upcoming presidential election due to citizenship concerns.
In the early hours of Friday, Masra's apprehension took place at his residence, overtly executed by military personnel without any judicial summons, which has been labeled an “abduction" by the Transformers party’s secretary general. Following his arrest, the party released a statement claiming Masra was accessible to his legal counsel, urging supporters to remain calm and await further directives amid the escalating tensions in Chad’s political arena.
