In a shocking development, Chad's former Prime Minister and opposition figure, Succès Masra, has been arrested over alleged involvement in violent clashes that occurred in the southwestern part of the country, which resulted in at least 42 fatalities. The public prosecutor, Oumar Mahamat Kedelaye, claims Masra is suspected of inciting violence through hateful messages shared on social media.
Masra's party, the Transformers, accused military officers of "kidnapping" their leader during the early morning hours, criticizing the detention as unlawful and lacking a judicial basis. Known for his vocal opposition to President Mahamat Déby, Masra previously claimed he had beaten Déby in last year's elections, a claim disputed by official results that declared Déby the winner with 61% of the votes.
The violence erupted in the village of Mandakao, near the Cameroon border, and is believed to stem from heightened tensions between Ngambaye farmers and Fulani herdsmen over land disputes. Mr. Kedelaye noted that dangerous messages circulated online urging locals to take up arms against one another. In addition to Masra, over 80 individuals have also been apprehended in connection with the unrest.
Masra briefly held the position of interim prime minister in 2024 and his party abstained from the December elections, citing concerns about election transparency. The Déby family has been in power in Chad for over 30 years, taking control of the government after the death of former leader Idriss Déby Itno in 2021.
Masra's party, the Transformers, accused military officers of "kidnapping" their leader during the early morning hours, criticizing the detention as unlawful and lacking a judicial basis. Known for his vocal opposition to President Mahamat Déby, Masra previously claimed he had beaten Déby in last year's elections, a claim disputed by official results that declared Déby the winner with 61% of the votes.
The violence erupted in the village of Mandakao, near the Cameroon border, and is believed to stem from heightened tensions between Ngambaye farmers and Fulani herdsmen over land disputes. Mr. Kedelaye noted that dangerous messages circulated online urging locals to take up arms against one another. In addition to Masra, over 80 individuals have also been apprehended in connection with the unrest.
Masra briefly held the position of interim prime minister in 2024 and his party abstained from the December elections, citing concerns about election transparency. The Déby family has been in power in Chad for over 30 years, taking control of the government after the death of former leader Idriss Déby Itno in 2021.
