Former Chadian Prime Minister and opposition leader Succes Masra was taken into custody by security forces at his home on Friday morning, according to a member of his party. The reasons for his detention remain unclear.
The move has raised further concerns about the shrinking space for democracy in Chad, a country where the government has been accused of limiting opposition activities, restricting media freedom, and frequently banning protests.
A video posted on Facebook by Ndolembai Sade Njesada, vice president of Masra’s Transformers opposition party, showed armed men in uniform escorting Masra out of his residence.
The government did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Masra has been a vocal critic of the junta led by President Mahamat Idriss Deby, who assumed power in 2021 after the death of his father, long-time President Idriss Deby, during a military operation. Masra was appointed prime minister in January 2024, a move seen as an attempt to ease opposition tensions ahead of the May elections, in which Mahamat Idriss Deby secured 61% of the vote, according to the electoral commission.
Before the preliminary results were announced, Masra had already declared himself the victor and accused the government of preparing to manipulate the election process. He resigned from his role as prime minister prior to Deby’s inauguration.
Chad was the first junta-led country in West and Central Africa to hold elections after a series of recent coups in the region.