Chad’s deepening authoritarianism: a return to single-party rule?
The N’Djamena government appears intent on perpetuating a cycle of coups and violent conflicts.
Just two weeks after their arrest for planning a protest against governance issues in Chad, eight opposition leaders received an eight-year prison sentence. Their coalition, the “Groupe de concertation des acteurs politiques” (GCAP), had scheduled a demonstration for May 2nd.
On May 7th, the day before their convictions, the Supreme Court announced the dissolution of GCAP, which had been the country’s primary opposition alliance. These eight leaders now join Succès Masra, a prominent opposition figure and head of Les Transformateurs party, who was sentenced in August 2025 to twenty years imprisonment for “incitement to hatred.”
This marks another significant step towards authoritarianism in Chad. With the silencing of GCAP officials, the ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement (Mouvement patriotique du salut), led by President Mahamat Idriss Déby, faces virtually no credible challenge. Without a robust opposition, Chad’s democratic aspirations are collapsing.
Public demonstrations have been systematically banned for over six years. Some of these gatherings have been brutally suppressed, notably in October 2022, when approximately 200 protesters were killed and many more injured or arrested.
The detention of GCAP leaders and the coalition’s dissolution by the Supreme Court raise serious concerns about the increasing use of the judicial system as a tool of repression. Attorneys for the leaders have condemned their clients’ detention without formal charges. Following a swift trial, they were convicted of criminal association, insurrectionary movement, rebellion, and illegal possession of war weapons — charges their lawyers vehemently deny.
Similar to Masra’s case, the trial of the GCAP leaders has sparked outrage among civil society and opposition groups. It widely appears to be a clear attempt to restrict public space and further destabilize the political environment. Concerned, the United Nations reiterated the importance of respecting freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, in line with human rights principles and Chad’s international obligations.
Beyond the systematic prohibition of protests and the weaponization of the judiciary to silence dissenting voices, the use of lethal force is becoming alarmingly normalized, even in seemingly routine situations.
On April 29th, activists celebrating the eighth anniversary of Les Transformateurs were subjected to an armed assault. The attack resulted in one fatality, two serious injuries, and the party’s treasurer was abducted and tortured. While the government announced it would pursue those responsible, such incidents have become commonplace in recent years.
The shrinking civic space and the suppression of the opposition in Chad have intensified since the political transition began in 2021, following the death of President Idriss Déby Itno. The country risks descending into a single-party regime, reminiscent of the eras under Presidents François Tombalbaye (1960-1975) and Hissène Habré (1982-1990). During those periods, only parties aligned with the ruling power were permitted, serving as instruments of pro-regime propaganda and dominating the public sphere.
Under Idriss Déby Itno (1990-2021), elections were consistently disputed, and the Constitution underwent several revisions to eliminate presidential term limits.
Both Tombalbaye and Habré ultimately fell victim to coups d’état, and Déby himself was killed during clashes with rebels attempting to overthrow him. These turnovers, coupled with numerous coup attempts and insurrections, underscore Chad’s long history of resorting to force for political change.
Since 1964, just four years after gaining independence, Chad has endured repeated cycles of deadly conflicts and chronic instability, deeply scarring its society.
Less than three years after the supposed return to constitutional order, Parliament amended the Constitution, despite it having been forged through an inclusive and sovereign national dialogue. In October 2025, the presidential term was extended to seven years, an unmistakable sign of the ruling party’s desire to dominate the political landscape.
Current leaders must reflect on and learn from the dark periods of Chad’s history. Alongside re-establishing dialogue between the regime, opposition parties, and civil society, it is imperative to safeguard fundamental freedoms of association and expression. Respect for the separation of powers is essential to preserve judicial independence and the rule of law.
Law enforcement agencies must improve their management of demonstrations, employing appropriate and proportionate measures. This requires revising crowd control doctrines, enhancing officer training, and ensuring their operations are monitored by authorities and human rights organizations.
The frequent and disproportionate use of force, which can turn deadly, is highly detrimental. It risks inciting citizens, especially the youth, to violence and radicalization, with a high potential for escalation during confrontations.
Given the government’s steadfastness, the adoption of these recommended measures seems unlikely. In the absence of credible dissenting voices within Chad, regional and international organizations must once again call for dialogue. This includes, among others, the African Union, the Economic Community of Central African States, and the United Nations, all of whom supported the transition and backed the return to constitutional order.
The concern expressed by the UN is a positive step, but direct advocacy with Chadian partners would prove even more productive.
