Chad’s former prime minister and prominent opposition leader, Succès Masra, has been arrested over alleged connections to a deadly clash that erupted in the southwest of the country. The incident, which occurred in the village of Mandakao in Logone Occidental province near the Cameroonian border, resulted in at least 42 fatalities and sparked national concern about growing instability and political tension.
Masra is being accused of inciting violence by spreading provocative and hateful messages on social media that may have contributed to the outbreak of the deadly confrontation. Authorities claim that messages had circulated online urging people to arm themselves, leading to the escalation of tensions within the local communities.
The violence reportedly stemmed from a land dispute between members of the Ngambaye farming community and Fulani herders. Such disputes have become increasingly common, with farmers accusing herders of allowing livestock to graze on cultivated land, sparking hostilities that have turned deadly on several occasions. The recent incident appears to be part of this wider pattern of conflict, underlining the persistent tension between agricultural and pastoralist groups in rural Chad.
In addition to Masra, more than 80 individuals have been detained in connection with the incident, raising alarm among opposition groups and human rights advocates who view the arrests as politically motivated.
Masra’s political movement, the Transformers party, has strongly condemned his arrest, alleging that it was conducted by military officers without following due judicial process. They described the arrest as a “kidnapping” and denounced it as an unlawful act of repression against dissent.
A vocal critic of the ruling government, Masra has consistently challenged the legitimacy of President Mahamat Idriss Déby’s administration. Following last year’s presidential election, Masra claimed he had secured a popular victory, accusing the ruling elite of stealing the win “from the people.” Official results, however, declared Déby the winner with 61% of the vote. The opposition dismissed the results, citing widespread irregularities and a lack of transparency.
Masra briefly served as interim prime minister in the transitional government between January and May 2024. His tenure was short-lived and marked by tensions between his party and the ruling establishment. In December of the same year, the Transformers party boycotted legislative elections, voicing concerns over the fairness of the process and accusing the government of manipulating institutions to retain power.
The Déby family has maintained a firm grip on power in Chad for over 30 years, beginning with the late President Idriss Déby, who ruled from 1990 until his death in 2021. His son, Mahamat Idriss Déby, succeeded him as transitional leader and has since consolidated control despite mounting opposition.
The recent developments reflect the increasingly volatile political climate in Chad, where opposition voices face severe repression and ethnic tensions continue to erupt into violence. The arrest of Masra marks a significant moment in the country’s political trajectory and raises serious questions about the direction of democracy and civil liberties under the current regime. With the growing unrest in rural regions and the mounting frustration among opposition supporters, Chad faces a critical juncture that will test the strength and inclusivity of its political institutions.
