Chad’s Opposition Leader Arrested Amidst Deadly Clashes

The arrest of Succès Masra, former Chad Prime Minister and opposition figure, comes after violent clashes left 42 dead, as accusations of social media incitement arise. His party claims he was kidnapped outside judicial norms.

Chad's former prime minister and opposition figure, Succès Masra, has been apprehended over suspected connections to violent clashes that erupted on Wednesday in the country's southwestern region. According to public prosecutor Oumar Mahamat Kedelaye, Masra is accused of disseminating hateful messages through social media, which are believed to have fuelled the unrest that resulted in at least 42 fatalities.

The Transformers party, which Masra leads, has decried his detention as a "kidnapping" by military personnel during the early hours, asserting that the actions breached any established judicial protocols. Known for his outspoken criticism of President Mahamat Déby, Masra previously claimed to have emerged victorious in last year's elections, though official results credited Déby with a 61% win.

The clashes took place in Mandakao village, within Logone Occidental province, near the border with Cameroon. As Kedelaye stated, incendiary messages circulated online urged residents to arm themselves against one another. The root cause of the violence remains somewhat ambiguous, but reports suggest it may stem from a land dispute between Ngambaye farmers and Fulani herders, with accusations flying over grazing rights.

The unrest has led to the detention of 80 additional individuals, all connected to the violent incidents. Masra served a brief term as interim prime minister of Chad's transitional government from January to May 2024. His party boycotted legislative elections in December, citing concerns over the electoral process's integrity.

Chad has been under the Déby family's rule for over thirty years, following the military's ascension to power after the death of former President Idriss Déby Itno due to rebel actions in 2021.