Chad's former Prime Minister, Succès Masra, has been arrested as authorities investigate his potential connection to violent clashes that resulted in numerous fatalities in the region.
Former Chad Prime Minister Detained Amid Violence Investigation
Former Chad Prime Minister Detained Amid Violence Investigation
Succès Masra, an outspoken critic of the Chadian government, faces allegations of inciting violence through social media.
Former Chad Prime Minister Succès Masra has been taken into custody following deadly clashes that happened in Logone Occidental province, as stated by a local public prosecutor. Masra is being accused of disseminating incendiary social media posts related to the violence that left at least 42 people dead. The incident, which occurred in the village of Mandakao, has been attributed to escalating tensions, possibly stemming from a land dispute between local farmers and Fulani herdsmen.
The prosecution, represented by Oumar Mahamat Kedelaye, revealed that Masra is suspected of inciting public unrest through his online messages, which called for the local population to take up arms against one another. His political party, Transformers, contends that Masra was "kidnapped" by military personnel early in the morning without regard for judicial protocols, thereby labeling his detention as unjust.
Masra is a prominent political figure in Chad, frequently criticizing President Mahamat Déby and alleging electoral fraud during last year's presidential elections, where unofficial claims suggested he had triumphed. Despite his claims, the official results declared Déby the victor with over 61% of the votes.
The violent events on Wednesday have elicited a broader response, prompting over 80 additional arrests linked to the disturbances. In recent years, there has been an alarming uptick in violence between local farming communities and herders, primarily due to disputes over land use. The Déby family has maintained political dominance in Chad for more than thirty years, with Mahamat Déby taking the reign after his father was killed by rebels in 2021.
The government's ongoing handling of the unrest reflects deep-seated tensions within Chad’s political landscape, raising concerns about civil liberties and the transparency of its legal processes.
The prosecution, represented by Oumar Mahamat Kedelaye, revealed that Masra is suspected of inciting public unrest through his online messages, which called for the local population to take up arms against one another. His political party, Transformers, contends that Masra was "kidnapped" by military personnel early in the morning without regard for judicial protocols, thereby labeling his detention as unjust.
Masra is a prominent political figure in Chad, frequently criticizing President Mahamat Déby and alleging electoral fraud during last year's presidential elections, where unofficial claims suggested he had triumphed. Despite his claims, the official results declared Déby the victor with over 61% of the votes.
The violent events on Wednesday have elicited a broader response, prompting over 80 additional arrests linked to the disturbances. In recent years, there has been an alarming uptick in violence between local farming communities and herders, primarily due to disputes over land use. The Déby family has maintained political dominance in Chad for more than thirty years, with Mahamat Déby taking the reign after his father was killed by rebels in 2021.
The government's ongoing handling of the unrest reflects deep-seated tensions within Chad’s political landscape, raising concerns about civil liberties and the transparency of its legal processes.
