The legal team of former Chadian Prime Minister and opposition leader Succes Masra has announced plans to appeal his conviction and 20-year prison sentence for allegedly spreading racist and xenophobic messages that incited violence.
Masra, a prominent critic of President Mahamat Idriss Deby, briefly served as prime minister in Deby’s interim government before challenging him in the May 2024 presidential election.
Prosecutors linked him to deadly clashes in the southern town of Mandakao in May 2025, where dozens were killed, accusing him of inciting hatred, calling for armed resistance, and playing a role in the violence.
He was arrested on May 16, 2025, and also ordered to pay a fine of 1 billion CFA francs (about $1.8 million).
Masra has denied all charges, describing the case as a political maneuver and citing violations of an October 2023 agreement with the government.
His sentencing comes as Chad transitions from four years of military rule to civilian governance following the December 2024 adoption of a new constitution.
Despite the formal return to civilian leadership under a former military figure, the country continues to grapple with political divisions, border insecurity, and a deepening socio-economic crisis.
