Tchad: call for medical care and justice for detained opposition leader Succès Masra

For over a year now, Chad has held opposition figure Succès Masra in detention under conditions denounced as inhumane. His sister, Chancelle Masra, now living in France, has spoken out about his deteriorating health and the lack of proper medical or legal care.

Since his arrest, Masra—leader of the political party Les Transformateurs—has been serving a 20-year prison sentence. The sentence stems from a 2023 message that, according to authorities, contributed to deadly intercommunal violence in southern Chad two years later. Despite finishing second in the 2024 presidential election with 18% of the vote, Masra remains behind bars.

Chancelle Masra confirms that her brother suffers from respiratory issues and has been officially declared in need of specialized medical attention. “The medical assessments confirm his condition,” she states. “But none of the necessary tests or treatments can be carried out in Chad.”

He has been held in a cramped, windowless space of under 15 square meters at a judicial police coordination office in N’Djaména since May 16, 2025. The conditions include no bed, no access to daylight, and no physical activity. While visits from family members and lawyers are now permitted—after prolonged advocacy—they remain restricted and require prior authorization.

All electronic devices, including phones and computers, have been confiscated, cutting off all direct communication with the outside world. “He has no contact with his daughter, his wife, or me,” Chancelle Masra explains. “Total isolation.”

An appeal filed, but justice delayed

Despite the lack of evidence or credible witnesses linking him to the violence, Succès Masra was convicted in August 2025 of inciting hatred and violence. His legal team has filed an appeal, though no hearing date has been set. “This is a judicial error that must be corrected,” Chancelle Masra insists. “Enforcing such a sentence against a peaceful leader undermines the very foundation of justice.”

She emphasizes her brother’s long-standing commitment to dialogue, not confrontation. Since founding Les Transformateurs in 2018, Masra has organized numerous peaceful marches and even served as Prime Minister—without accepting any salary—as a gesture of dedication to Chad’s development. “He has never advocated violence. Locking him up will not resolve the tensions,” she adds.

Growing political repression in Chad

The case of Succès Masra is not isolated. Recent months have seen increased judicial pressure on opposition figures, including the sentencing of eight members of the Groupe des Citoyens pour l’Alternative et le Progrès (GCAP) to eight years in prison for organizing a peaceful march. Chancelle Masra expresses deep concern over the shrinking space for dissent in Chad. “A true democracy allows opposition voices to be heard without fear of imprisonment,” she says. “Otherwise, it is not democracy at all.”

International support and calls for action

Chancelle Masra credits international organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, as well as influential individuals across Europe, Africa, and the United States, for their solidarity. “This support has kept my brother alive,” she says. “Now, we urge the international community to continue pressing for his release and for the restoration of fundamental freedoms in Chad.”

She also highlights the importance of dialogue over judicial persecution. “Innocent people should not be made to pay for political differences. This affects not just my family, but the future of democracy in Chad.”