Tchad faces alarming political and security crisis, opposition party claims

The political party Les Patriotes held a press conference this Wednesday, May 13, at its headquarters in the Bololo district of N’Djamena’s second arrondissement. During the event, spokesperson Hisseine Abdoulaye condemned what he described as an « alarming politico-security crisis », alongside what the party calls an unjust conviction of eight opposition leaders formerly part of the Groupe de concertation des acteurs politiques (GCAP).

Rising insecurity in the Sahel

The party highlighted Chad’s escalating turmoil, pointing to a surge in Boko Haram attacks in the Lac Province, as well as a spike in intercommunal clashes in the east and south. Recent military operations in Barka Tolorom and Kaïga Kindjiria reportedly resulted in the deaths of 23 soldiers. Meanwhile, tribal violence in Wadi Fira, fueled by the smuggling of weapons from Sudan, has claimed over 40 lives.

Political repression under scrutiny

On the political front, Les Patriotes accused authorities of cracking down on dissent, citing the controversial death of Yaya Dillo, the imprisonment of Succès Masra, and the Supreme Court’s dissolution of the GCAP. The party also condemned restrictions on public freedoms and media repression, alleging systematic suppression of critical voices.

Eight GCAP-affiliated party leaders, including Nassour Ibrahim Koursami of Les Patriotes, were sentenced to eight years in prison on April 25 after their arrest at the PAP/JS headquarters—an operation the party claims was conducted without a warrant. Charges of unlawful assembly, criminal association, insurrection, rebellion, and illegal arms possession were allegedly based on flimsy evidence, with Les Patriotes accusing the prosecutor, territorial administration minister, and Supreme Court president of orchestrating a rushed trial to silence opposition.

The party is demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the convicted leaders and has called on the international community to closely monitor the case. Hisseine Abdoulaye concluded the press conference with a rallying cry for citizen mobilization, urging an end to what he termed « this political charade » to restore democracy. Quoting George Orwell, he warned: « Tyrants fear the truth, for truth does not bow. »