Tchad opposition repression escalates under Mahamat Idriss Déby

Alifa Younous Mahamat, coordinator of the Socialist Party Without Borders (PSF) in France and Europe, has issued a stark warning about the deteriorating political climate in Chad. Speaking during a recent interview, he highlighted the systematic suppression of dissent under the leadership of President Mahamat Idriss Déby.

Eight opposition leaders sentenced to eight years in prison

Following the recent conviction of eight opposition figures from the Group for Political Actors’ Coordination (GCAP)—a leading opposition coalition in Chad—Mahamat condemned the ruling as a “political weaponization of justice.” The defendants, who were arrested just days before a planned protest, received eight-year prison sentences in N’Djamena.

“This case confirms Chad’s descent into dictatorship, where fear and repression impose a single line of thought,” Mahamat stated. The opposition leaders had been detained for attempting to organize a peaceful demonstration that had been banned by authorities.

“No dissent tolerated”—the reality of political opposition in Chad

For Mahamat, the imprisonment of GCAP leaders is part of a broader strategy to eliminate credible opposition. “Any dissenting voice is systematically crushed,” he declared, emphasizing the increasingly restricted political environment in Chad. He pointed out that fundamental freedoms—such as the right to free expression, assembly, and association—are severely curtailed for opposition parties.

This crackdown follows the controversial 20-year prison sentence handed down to Succès Masra, a prominent opposition leader and former Prime Minister, nearly a year ago. The pattern of repression has intensified under President Mahamat Idriss Déby’s administration, raising concerns about the future of democracy in the country.

The role of the diaspora in amplifying opposition voices

From exile in France and Europe, the Chadian diaspora is working to keep international attention on the crisis. “We are the voice of those who cannot speak,” Mahamat explained. The PSF coordinator has been actively engaging with international institutions and human rights organizations to pressure for change.

“We demand a firm response from the international community,” he insisted. The diaspora’s efforts are seen as a critical counterbalance to the regime’s tightening grip on power.

Leveraging international support to challenge the regime

Mahamat has also held meetings with French political leaders to draw attention to the situation in Chad. He revealed discussions with members of parliament and senators, including representatives from La France Insoumise. Notably, he met with the party’s leader, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, to raise awareness about the repression faced by opposition figures.

For the exiled opposition, international mobilization is now a key strategy in the face of the regime’s growing authoritarianism. As Mahamat Idriss Déby’s government continues to tighten its control, the role of external allies and advocacy networks becomes ever more vital in the struggle for political freedoms in Chad.