A Chadian criminal court has sentenced Succès Masra, leader of the Transformers party and one of the country’s most prominent opposition figures, to 20 years in prison and fined him 1 billion CFA francs, sparking concerns over the political fallout.
The verdict followed a trial that began in early August, in which Masra faced charges including spreading racially inflammatory messages, complicity in murder, incitement to rebellion, and participation in deadly unrest that left 76 people dead in Mandakou, southern Chad.
Prosecutors had sought a harsher sentence of 25 years for Masra and 58 co-defendants, alongside a collective 5 billion CFA franc fine and asset freezes.
Analysts warn the ruling could inflame tensions. African affairs specialist Mohamed Idriss told Erbil-based Eram News the decision “will deepen the political crisis and risks pushing the country toward chaos and violence,” noting that Masra’s party is unlikely to accept a ruling that could end his political career.
The sentencing comes amid fragile stability, with President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno sending what Idriss described as “a clear message of defiance” to an already weakened opposition.
Masra, a former senior economist at the African Development Bank, returned from exile in 2024 under the Kinshasa Agreements and was later appointed prime minister during the country’s transition.
Political analyst Mohamed El-Haj Othman said the opposition’s options are now “extremely limited,” given Déby’s tight grip on power and the streets through heavy security measures. Masra has been a vocal critic of Déby, at times accusing his government of apartheid-like policies — allegations that contributed to the case against him.