President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno has publicly come to the defense of his Public Security Minister, responding to a formal complaint lodged by magistrates who deemed the minister’s remarks insulting to their profession.
“In a democratic society, freedom of expression is a fundamental right, applicable to both ordinary citizens and public officials, provided it adheres to existing legal frameworks,” declared the head of state. He further emphasized, “When magistrates, entrusted with public responsibility, are unwilling to accept criticism, it risks undermining the core tenets of our social contract.”
This perspective, the President noted, aligns with his personal commitment to no longer hold the presidency of the Superior Council of Magistracy.
Reaffirming his support for his minister, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno clarified, “It is crucial to state that the Security Minister did not criticize the entire judicial system, nor did he target all magistrates.”
While acknowledging that unionism is an “integral component” of democracy, the President cautioned that “advocating for an individual or a group should not extend to endorsing behaviors that are unsound or contradict the fundamental values of justice and ethics.”
The controversy stems from a video widely circulated across social media platforms, where the Public Security Minister was seen vehemently criticizing specific judicial rulings. He contended that these decisions were promoting falsehoods and declared his readiness to “tear up” what he referred to as “false orders.”