The Patriotes movement has escalated its criticism of what it describes as a deliberate attempt to manipulate the judiciary in Chad, following the recent sentencing of eight opposition leaders from the GCAP coalition to eight years in prison.

During a press briefing held at the party’s headquarters in Bololo, N’Djaména, spokesperson Hisseine Abdoulaye delivered a strongly worded statement addressing the country’s deepening political and security crises. He highlighted Chad’s multidimensional instability, pointing to worsening insecurity, escalating intercommunal violence, and a concerning erosion of public freedoms.

Security conditions have deteriorated sharply, particularly in the Lake Chad basin, where Boko Haram’s intensified attacks on Chadian forces have become alarmingly frequent. The Patriotes also pointed to deadly intercommunal clashes in the eastern region, especially in Wadi Fira, where dozens have lost their lives in recent months. These developments, they argue, expose critical flaws in the national security framework and deepen the climate of uncertainty across the country.

On the political front, the movement condemns what it terms an authoritarian clampdown by state authorities. It cites the killing of opposition figure Yaya Dillo, the detention of Succès Masra, and now the imprisonment of eight GCAP leaders as evidence of a systematic effort to silence dissent and weaken political opposition.

The Patriotes allege that the legal proceedings against the GCAP leaders were conducted with uncharacteristic speed, accusing the Republic Prosecutor, the Ministry of Territorial Administration, and the Supreme Court of orchestrating a coordinated campaign to politically neutralize a banned coalition.

The movement rejects all the charges brought against the condemned leaders—including unlawful assembly, criminal association, insurrection, rebellion, and illegal weapons possession—arguing that the accusations lack credible evidence. Some charges, they claim, are entirely fabricated.

In a direct appeal to the international community, human rights organizations, and rule-of-law advocates, the Patriotes have called for close monitoring of the case. They demand the immediate and unconditional release of the eight imprisoned leaders and all other political detainees.

The movement concluded by urging citizens to mobilize peacefully, engage in dialogue, and unite to defend democracy and prevent further escalation of political and security tensions in the country.