In Chad, the Supreme Court in N’Djamena has rejected the appeal in cassation lodged by the legal representatives of former Prime Minister Succès Masra. This decision definitively confirms his 20-year prison sentence in a case related to the deadly Mandakao violence.

The 20-year rigorous prison sentence handed down to Succès Masra, Chad’s former Prime Minister and leader of Les Transformateurs party, has been definitively affirmed. On Thursday, May 21, the N’Djamena Supreme Court rejected the final appeal lodged by his legal counsel, thereby concluding all internal judicial avenues.

The ex-head of government received his initial conviction last August from the Criminal Court on charges including « diffusion de messages de nature raciste et xénophobe » (dissemination of racist and xenophobic messages), « association de malfaiteurs » (criminal association), and « complicité de meurtre » (complicity in murder). Chadian authorities specifically cited a message Masra broadcast in 2023 as a contributing factor to the deadly inter-communal clashes that erupted in Mandakao in May 2025.

A substantial security presence, comprising police and military forces, was deployed around the Supreme Court headquarters during the hearing. Access to the premises was restricted, despite the public nature of the session.

This judicial outcome means that all national appeals have been exhausted for Succès Masra. His remaining legal avenues may now involve seeking redress from sub-regional or international courts. Supporters of the opposition figure have consistently labeled the proceedings a political trial. « We therefore hope that a political solution will be found, » stated Claudia Hoinathy, an executive member of Les Transformateurs party.