Authorities accuse him of inciting violence through social media, sparking outrage among his supporters who claim his arrest was unlawful.
Former Chad Prime Minister Detained in Connection with Deadly Violence
Former Chad Prime Minister Detained in Connection with Deadly Violence
Succès Masra, a prominent critic of Chad's leadership, has been arrested following violent clashes that left dozens dead.
Chad’s former Prime Minister and opposition leader, Succès Masra, has been detained amid allegations of his involvement in violent clashes that erupted in southwestern Chad, resulting in the deaths of at least 42 individuals, according to an official statement from the public prosecutor. Oumar Mahamat Kedelaye indicated that Masra is suspected of spreading incendiary messages via social media, which contributed to the turmoil.
Masra's political party, the Transformers, has condemned the arrest, characterizing it as a "kidnapping" by military operatives occurring in the early mornings without adherence to any recognizable legal protocols. As an outspoken opponent of President Mahamat Déby, Masra had previously claimed to have won the elections last year, a contest officially reported to have favored Déby with 61% of the votes. Masra insists that his electoral victory had been unjustly usurped from the electorate.
The violence erupted in Mandakao village, Logone Occidental province, near Chad's border with Cameroon. Kedelaye noted that inflammatory messages circulated on social media inciting residents to take up arms against fellow citizens. The precise triggers of the violence remain ambiguous; however, reports suggest it may have stemmed from ongoing land disputes between the Ngambaye farming community and Fulani herders. These disputes have been a growing source of tension, with farmers alleging that herders are encroaching upon their agricultural lands.
In connection with the recent clashes, more than 80 additional individuals have also been detained. Masra briefly filled the position of interim prime minister in a transitional government from January to May 2024 before his party opted to boycott legislative elections last December, citing concerns over electoral integrity.
The Déby family has maintained a firm grip on Chad’s leadership for over three decades, with President Mahamat Déby assuming power from his father, Idriss Déby Itno, who was killed by rebel forces in 2021.
Masra's political party, the Transformers, has condemned the arrest, characterizing it as a "kidnapping" by military operatives occurring in the early mornings without adherence to any recognizable legal protocols. As an outspoken opponent of President Mahamat Déby, Masra had previously claimed to have won the elections last year, a contest officially reported to have favored Déby with 61% of the votes. Masra insists that his electoral victory had been unjustly usurped from the electorate.
The violence erupted in Mandakao village, Logone Occidental province, near Chad's border with Cameroon. Kedelaye noted that inflammatory messages circulated on social media inciting residents to take up arms against fellow citizens. The precise triggers of the violence remain ambiguous; however, reports suggest it may have stemmed from ongoing land disputes between the Ngambaye farming community and Fulani herders. These disputes have been a growing source of tension, with farmers alleging that herders are encroaching upon their agricultural lands.
In connection with the recent clashes, more than 80 additional individuals have also been detained. Masra briefly filled the position of interim prime minister in a transitional government from January to May 2024 before his party opted to boycott legislative elections last December, citing concerns over electoral integrity.
The Déby family has maintained a firm grip on Chad’s leadership for over three decades, with President Mahamat Déby assuming power from his father, Idriss Déby Itno, who was killed by rebel forces in 2021.
