Chadian opposition leader Succès Masra, president of the political party Les Transformateurs, has been placed in pre-trial detention following his indictment over violence that occurred in Mandakao on May 14, which resulted in the deaths of around 40 people. Masra was arrested at his residence at dawn on May 16, prompting his legal team to challenge the legality of the process, noting that the complaint was only officially filed with the prosecutor’s office after his arrest.
His lawyers argue that part of the accusation stems from a 2023 audio recording titled Citizens’ Arms Against Terrorists, which had previously led to an international arrest warrant later dropped under the Toumaï Agreement for Stability and Development.
Masra’s legal team described the case as a politically motivated plot, citing the involvement of a National State Security Agency agent and what they termed as excessive force during the remand hearing, with over 100 military vehicles reportedly deployed.
They emphasized that the 2023 recording was made during a period of heightened security threats near the Central African Republic border and had already been resolved politically.
The lawyers plan to seek Masra’s provisional release once he is heard in full, though they acknowledge the investigation could extend for up to a year.
This legal battle unfolds amid a politically sensitive climate, following recent gestures of reconciliation from President Mahamat Idriss Déby, which Masra had responded to positively.
