Photo source : https://www.instagram.com/succesmasra/
N’DJAMENA, CHAD – 16 May 2025
The arrest of former Prime Minister Succès Masra on May 16, 2025, has reignited fears of authoritarian backsliding in Chad, as political tensions rise under the presidency of Mahamat Idriss Déby. Masra, leader of the opposition party Les Transformateurs, was reportedly detained at his residence in N’Djamena by armed men in military uniform during a pre-dawn raid. The arrest comes days after violent clashes in Mandakao village, Logone Occidental province, left at least 42 people dead and several others injured.
Chadian authorities have accused Masra of inciting hatred and violence via social media, linking him to the deadly intercommunal violence that erupted on May 14. However, the opposition leader had publicly condemned the bloodshed, offering condolences to victims and stating, “no Chadian’s life should be taken for granted.”
At a press briefing, public prosecutor Oumar Mahamat Kedelaye confirmed Masra’s arrest, asserting that investigations were underway. The government, through spokesperson Gassim Cherif Mahamat, vowed to “identify, track down, and bring the perpetrators and accomplices to justice,” while describing the violence as “barbaric acts.”
Human Rights Watch swiftly condemned the arrest, warning of escalating harassment against opposition voices. “If Chadian authorities are not charging Masra with a credible offense, he should be released promptly,” the organization said in a statement.
Political Repression Amid Fragile Stability
Masra’s arrest marks the latest in a series of repressive measures targeting opposition leaders under Mahamat Déby’s rule. Following the death of his father, President Idriss Déby, in April 2021 during combat with FACT rebels, Mahamat seized power through a military decree, suspending the constitution and forming a Transitional Military Council. Despite constitutional mandates for a civilian succession, the military appointed Déby as interim president, citing national security threats.
The transitional government pledged an 18-month roadmap to elections, which has since been extended multiple times. In October 2022, Déby’s government violently suppressed pro-democracy protests led by Masra and his party, leaving dozens dead and hundreds jailed. The day became known as “Black Thursday.” Masra subsequently went into exile, returning in 2023 to participate in the constitutional referendum and, in a surprising political shift, was appointed Prime Minister on January 1, 2024. He held the position until May 22 of that year.
Masra’s brief tenure was seen by some as a gesture of reconciliation but failed to quell broader concerns about Chad’s democratic trajectory. His party, Les Transformateurs, continued to face suspensions and crackdowns, especially following protests and critiques of the extended transition process.
Photo source : www.instagram.com/p_r_mahamat_idriss_deby/
Intercommunal Violence in the South
Legacy of Violence and Foreign Influence
Chad’s political instability is rooted in decades of conflict and authoritarian governance. Former president Hissène Habré ruled through fear and repression until being overthrown in 1990 by Idriss Déby, who himself governed for over three decades through contested elections and constitutional amendments. Déby’s death in 2021 plunged the country into renewed uncertainty.
Despite this, Mahamat Déby has enjoyed sustained backing from France and other Western partners, who see Chad as a linchpin in regional counterterrorism operations. France, in particular, had maintained a military presence in the Sahel even after ending Operation Barkhane in 2021.
The deadly violence in Logone Occidental reflects deeper structural issues facing the country. Clashes between herders and farmers in southern Chad have intensified in recent years due to land pressure, climate change, and governance failures. While such violence is not new, its politicization raises concerns about the misuse of security incidents to suppress dissent.
President Mahamat Déby, who was sworn in as Chad’s seventh president in May 2024 after a disputed election, now faces mounting challenges—from internal unrest to persistent insurgencies by FACT rebels and Boko Haram.
As the international community watches closely, the fate of Succès Masra could prove pivotal in determining whether Chad continues its tentative transition toward democracy or slides further into authoritarian rule.
Chad Terminates Longstanding Defense Agreement with France
On November 28, 2024, Chad announced its decision to end its defense and security cooperation agreement with France, a pact that dated back to 1966 and was most recently revised in 2019. The Chadian government stated that while the military cooperation would cease, the country remained committed to maintaining “constructive relations with France in other areas of common interest, for the benefit of both peoples.” France officially acknowledged the termination the following day, on November 29.
By December 5, the Chadian government had set up a dedicated commission to manage the termination of military agreements between the two nations. France confirmed it had entered into discussions regarding the formal dismantling of the military and security cooperation framework. On December 6, demonstrations in support of the government’s decision were held in various parts of Chad, signaling significant public backing for the move.
Assertion of Sovereignty and Strategic Recalibration ; French Troop Withdrawal and Base Closures
Chad’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abderaman Koulamallah, described the termination as a deliberate exercise of national sovereignty. He argued that the existing military arrangement was outdated and no longer aligned with current geopolitical dynamics. Koulamallah stressed that this step was not a pivot toward a new foreign power but rather a broader recalibration of Chad’s international partnerships.
Prior to the termination, France had maintained approximately 1,000 military personnel in Chad, primarily stationed at bases in Abéché and N’Djamena. The withdrawal process began promptly with the evacuation of the French base at Faya-Largeau in northern Chad. An initial group of 120 French soldiers, along with 70 tons of cargo, departed for France aboard Antonov 124 transport aircraft. Additional military equipment was slated for repatriation via the Cameroonian port of Douala, with logistics expected to continue through early 2025.
On January 10, 2025, France officially returned the Abéché base to Chadian control, followed by the gradual emptying of the N’Djamena air base. On January 21, Patricia Mirallès, France’s Minister Delegate for Remembrance and Veterans, confirmed that the withdrawal of all French troops from Chad would be completed on schedule. The final phase began on January 31 with the handover of the Sergent Adji Kossei base—commonly known as 172 Fort-Lamy. The repatriation of remaining French military equipment via Douala is expected to take several more months.
