Succès Masra’s conviction reaffirmed

Succès Masra, a leading Chadian opposition figure, will remain incarcerated following the Supreme Court’s rejection of his appeal on Thursday, May 21. One of his legal representatives announced the outcome after the hearing. “Despite all the legal arguments we presented to the Supreme Court, it chose to dismiss the appeal,” stated attorney Me Francis Kadjilembaye. Masra, who was apprehended in May 2025, received a 20-year prison sentence last August for charges including “dissemination of hateful and xenophobic messages” and “complicity in murder.”

Case draws international criticism 

Human Rights Watch has characterized Succès Masra’s trial as a “politically motivated” proceeding. The organization further asserts that his continued detention exemplifies the “government’s intolerance towards dissent.” On Thursday, a substantial security presence surrounded the Supreme Court in N’Djamena. Journalists covering the event reported that several reporters were denied entry to the courtroom during the hearing.

Heightened political tensions in Chad 
 

This judicial decision comes at a time when Chad’s political climate remains particularly volatile. Earlier this month, eight other opposition officials received eight-year prison sentences, primarily for charges related to insurrection. Furthermore, authorities dissolved the country’s primary opposition coalition just days prior to these convictions. Parties opposed to the current government frequently decry intimidation tactics and the prohibition of public demonstrations. In late April, a member of Les Transformateurs, the political party led by Succès Masra, was tragically killed by police during a rally demanding the opposition leader’s release.

𝟯𝟲𝟲 𝗝𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦 𝗗’𝗜𝗡𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘,
𝗨𝗡 𝗔𝗨𝗧𝗥𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗡 𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘 ✊🏽🇷🇴

✊🏽𝗟𝗜𝗕É𝗥𝗘𝗭 𝗟𝗘 𝗣𝗥É𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗗𝗥 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰è𝘀 𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗥𝗔 #UrgenceSuccèsMasraDoitSeSoigner #LibérezSuccèsMasra #FreeMasra #NousSommesTousMasra… pic.twitter.com/Y74MzI8Fgc

— Les Transformateurs (@TransTchad) May 17, 2026

 From fierce opponent to Prime Minister 

An economist trained in France and Cameroon, Succès Masra emerged as one of President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno’s principal adversaries before his appointment as Prime Minister in 2024. During the presidential election held the same year, he challenged the incumbent head of state. Official election results indicated that Mahamat Déby secured 61.3% of the vote, while Succès Masra received 18.5%. Masra, however, disputed these results and claimed victory for himself.