Chad's former Prime Minister Succès Masra has been arrested for alleged involvement in a recent violent clash, which resulted in over 40 deaths. His party has condemned the arrest, claiming it was an unlawful act by military officers.
Former Chad Prime Minister Detained Amidst Violence Allegations
Former Chad Prime Minister Detained Amidst Violence Allegations
Succès Masra's arrest comes after deadly clashes in Chad, raising concerns over political repression.
Chad’s former Prime Minister and opposition figure, Succès Masra, was arrested following a violent clash that occurred on Wednesday in the Logone Occidental province of Chad, close to the Cameroon border. The public prosecutor, Oumar Mahamat Kedelaye, has stated that Masra is suspected of inciting violence through hateful messages on social media, which are believed to have contributed to the turmoil.
Masra's political party, the Transformers, described his detention as a kidnapping carried out by military personnel in the early morning hours, and they criticized the incident for lacking any legal basis. This incident comes at a time of heightened tensions, as Masra has been a prominent critic of the current President, Mahamat Déby, alleging a fraudulent victory for Déby in the last elections, which officially recorded a 61% win in favor of the president.
The clashes erupted in the village of Mandakao, attributed to tensions arising from land disputes between local farmers and Fulani herdsmen. According to Kedelaye, inflammatory messages had circulated on social media, urging armed resistance among citizens. Notably, over 80 others have also been detained in connection with these violent outbursts.
Masra, who briefly took on the role of interim prime minister between January and May 2024 during a transitional government period, did not participate in the legislative elections last December, citing concerns regarding the integrity of the electoral system. The Déby family has maintained a grip on power in Chad for over three decades, with Mahamat Déby having assumed leadership following his father, Idriss Déby Itno's, death in 2021.
Masra's political party, the Transformers, described his detention as a kidnapping carried out by military personnel in the early morning hours, and they criticized the incident for lacking any legal basis. This incident comes at a time of heightened tensions, as Masra has been a prominent critic of the current President, Mahamat Déby, alleging a fraudulent victory for Déby in the last elections, which officially recorded a 61% win in favor of the president.
The clashes erupted in the village of Mandakao, attributed to tensions arising from land disputes between local farmers and Fulani herdsmen. According to Kedelaye, inflammatory messages had circulated on social media, urging armed resistance among citizens. Notably, over 80 others have also been detained in connection with these violent outbursts.
Masra, who briefly took on the role of interim prime minister between January and May 2024 during a transitional government period, did not participate in the legislative elections last December, citing concerns regarding the integrity of the electoral system. The Déby family has maintained a grip on power in Chad for over three decades, with Mahamat Déby having assumed leadership following his father, Idriss Déby Itno's, death in 2021.
