A presidential pardon has secured the release of former Chadian Prime Minister and opposition leader Succes Masra, along with eight other opposition figures.
President Mahamat Idriss Deby approved the remission of their prison sentences in a decree published by the presidency, effectively freeing the politicians from custody.
Masra had been serving a 20-year sentence after being convicted of hate speech, xenophobia and inciting violence linked to deadly clashes in southwestern Chad. The other opposition leaders, who belonged to the GCAP coalition, were sentenced to eight years for allegedly inciting an insurrection.
The pardon does not erase their convictions. Their criminal records and civil penalties remain, while restrictions on their political rights mean they cannot contest elections.
GCAP spokesman Hissein Abdoulaye described the development as evidence of democratic regression, while Masra’s party welcomed the decision and called for renewed dialogue and national unity.
Masra, a prominent critic of Deby, had returned from exile before the 2024 presidential election after reaching a reconciliation agreement with the president. He contested the poll, finished second according to official results and disputed the outcome.
Deby has ruled Chad since taking power in 2021 following the death of his father, former president Idriss Deby Itno.
