In Chad, the Supreme Court of N’Djamena has rejected the appeal filed by lawyers for former Prime Minister Succès Masra. This decision finalizes his 20-year prison sentence in connection with deadly violence in Mandakao.

Former Chadian Prime Minister and leader of the Les Transformateurs party, Succès Masra, has had his 20-year prison sentence definitively upheld. On May 21, the Supreme Court of N’Djamena dismissed the appeal filed by his legal team, closing all domestic judicial avenues.

Masra was previously sentenced in August by the Criminal Court for « disseminating racist and xenophobic messages, » « criminal association, » and « complicity in murder. » The court specifically cited a 2023 message deemed to have incited intercommunal clashes in Mandakao in May 2025.

A heavy security presence, including police and military forces, was deployed around the Supreme Court during the hearing, restricting access despite the public nature of the session.

With this ruling, national legal recourse for Masra is now exhausted. His remaining legal options may now shift to sub-regional or international courts. Supporters of the opposition figure have condemned the trial as politically motivated. « We hope a political solution will be found, » stated Claudia Hoinathy, a Les Transformateurs cadre.