Chad president pardons opposition leader Succès Masra after 20 years

Succès Masra, the former prime minister and founder of the opposition party Les Transformateurs, spoke to France 24 after being released from prison on August 14. The former president of Chad was pardoned by current president Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno following a 20‑year sentence handed down in 2025, ending more than a year of detention.

Masra had challenged Déby Itno in the 2024 presidential election, a contest that saw the incumbent win with a narrow margin and the opposition accused of intimidation. The harsh sentence was widely interpreted as a political move to silence a prominent critic, fitting a pattern of crackdowns that have kept dissent in check since the Déby family took power in 1990. His release comes amid growing pressure from the international community for Chad to move toward democratic governance.

In his interview, Masra said he remains committed to democratic reforms and plans to rebuild his party. He criticised the government’s lack of transparency and called for new, free elections. Masra warned that his pardon could be a test of the president’s willingness to engage with critics. He added that he will keep working to bring change, stressing the need for accountability and open dialogue.

Looking ahead, Masra’s future is uncertain. He may return to active politics or seek international support to strengthen civil society. The new president faces pressure from opposition groups and donors to hold fair elections. Chad’s political stability will depend on whether the government can balance power with genuine reform and address the grievances that fuel unrest.