Chad opposition leader ex pm 20 year sentence inciting violence
Chad’s former prime minister and opposition leader, Succes Masra, has been handed a 20-year prison term for disseminating racist and xenophobic messages that incited violence. The ruling was delivered at a court in N’Djamena, Chad’s capital.
Denial and Appeal
Despite the verdict, Masra, head of the Transformers party and a vocal critic of Chad’s current president, Mahamat Deby, maintains his innocence. His defense lawyer, Kadjilembay Francis, has announced plans to appeal the sentence, condemning the treatment of Masra as ‘ignominious and unworthy humiliation’.
Incident Details
Masra, who served as prime minister from January to May the previous year, was accused alongside 67 co-defendants, primarily from the Ngambaye ethnic group, of instigating violent confrontations between herders and farmers in May. The clashes in Logone Occidental resulted in 35 fatalities and six injuries.
Political Background
Having contested the presidency against Deby in 2024, Masra disputed the election results, citing irregularities. Despite initially rejecting the outcome, he later agreed to become prime minister following a reconciliation pact with Deby. Masra has been a vocal critic of the military government that took control in Chad in 2021 after the demise of Deby’s father, Idriss Deby Itno, who governed the nation for three decades.
Conclusion
The sentencing of Masra underscores the political tensions in Chad, with implications for the country’s stability and governance. The case has sparked reactions among Masra’s supporters and activists, hinting at potential ramifications on Chad’s political landscape.
Sources: Al Jazeera, News Agencies.