Chadian opposition party raises alarm over deteriorating conditions
The political party Les Patriotes held a press conference on Wednesday, May 13, at its headquarters in the Bololo district of N’Djamena’s second arrondissement. Hisseine Abdoulaye, the party’s spokesperson, described the current state as an “alarming politico-security crisis”, while condemning what he called “unjust” convictions handed down to eight opposition leaders from the former Groupe de concertation des acteurs politiques (GCAP).
Rising violence and intercommunal clashes fuel instability
The party highlighted Chad’s deepening instability, citing the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks in the Lac Province and a surge in intercommunal violence in the east and south. Recent military operations in Barka Tolorom and Kaïga Kindjiria reportedly resulted in 23 fatalities among Chad’s armed forces. Meanwhile, tribal clashes in Wadi Fira, fueled by weapons smuggling from Sudan, have left over 40 dead.
Political repression under scrutiny
Les Patriotes condemned what it described as a systematic crackdown on opposition figures, pointing to the death of Yaya Dillo, the imprisonment of Succès Masra, and the Supreme Court’s dissolution of the GCAP. The party also accused authorities of restricting civil liberties and targeting the press.
On April 25, eight party leaders—including Nassour Ibrahim Koursami, president of Les Patriotes—were arrested at the headquarters of Parti pour l’Alternance et la Justice/Jeunesse Souveraine (PAP/JS) without warrants, according to the party. They were later sentenced to eight years in prison on charges that the party dismisses as baseless. Accusations of “unlawful assembly, criminal association, insurrection, rebellion, and illegal arms possession” were allegedly fabricated, with Les Patriotes accusing the prosecutor, interior minister, and Supreme Court president of orchestrating a “rushed trial” to silence political dissent.
Calls for justice and international intervention
The party is demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the imprisoned leaders and has urged the international community to closely monitor the case. Hisseine Abdoulaye concluded the press conference with a plea for “citizen mobilization to end this political charade and restore democracy.”
Echoing the words of George Orwell, he declared, “Tyrants fear the truth because it does not obey.”