The Supreme Court’s decision

The Tchad Supreme Court has upheld the 20-year prison sentence against opposition leader Succès Masra, a former Prime Minister, after rejecting his appeal on May 21. His legal team confirmed the ruling, with lawyer Me Francis Kadjilembaye stating, “Despite presenting substantial legal arguments, the Court chose to dismiss the appeal.” Masra was originally arrested in May 2025 and sentenced in August 2025 for “dissemination of hateful and xenophobic messages” and “complicity in murder.”

Politically motivated trial, NGOs argue

Human Rights Watch has labeled the proceedings against Masra as a “politically motivated trial,” highlighting what it calls “the government’s intolerance toward dissent.” Security around the Supreme Court in N’Djamena was notably heavy, with journalists reportedly barred from accessing the hearing.

Escalating political unrest

The ruling comes amid mounting political tensions in Tchad. Earlier this month, eight opposition figures were sentenced to eight years in prison for alleged insurrection. Authorities also dissolved the country’s main opposition coalition days before these convictions. Opposition parties frequently report intimidation and bans on public demonstrations. In late April, a member of Masra’s party, Les Transformateurs, was killed by police during a rally demanding his release.

From opposition to Prime Minister and back

An economist trained in France and Cameroon, Succès Masra emerged as a leading critic of President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno before being appointed Prime Minister in 2024. He ran against Déby in the presidential election that year, officially receiving 18.5% of the vote compared to Déby’s 61.3%. Masra contested the results, claiming victory.