The public prosecutor’s office in Chad has called for a 25-year prison sentence for Succès Masra, leader of the opposition party Les Transformateurs, during the second day of his trial on charges linked to deadly violence in the country’s south.
The trial, which began on August 7 before the Chadian criminal chamber, centers on accusations including the dissemination of xenophobic and racist messages, criminal conspiracy, and murder.
Succès Masra, a former transitional prime minister, has vehemently denied all charges, branding the proceedings a “political conspiracy.”
He also cited alleged breaches of agreements signed with the government in October 2023 as part of his defense.
Prosecutors extended their sentencing demands to 58 co-defendants, seeking identical 25-year terms alongside a collective fine of 5 billion CFA francs payable to the state and the freezing of their assets.
However, the court may acquit nine other defendants due to insufficient evidence.
Succès Masra was arrested at his residence in N’Djamena on May 16, 2025.
He stands accused of inciting the violence that resulted in 76 deaths in the southern town of Mandakaou. Central to the prosecution’s case is an audio recording from May 2023 in which Masra allegedly urges southern residents to take up arms.
As the trial unfolds, the outcome will not only decide Masra’s fate but also test the independence of Chad’s judiciary amid ongoing political tensions.
Supporters of Masra argue the charges are politically motivated attempts to silence dissent, while authorities insist justice must be served following the tragic unrest.
The verdict is eagerly awaited, with implications that could resonate across Chad’s fragile political landscape.
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