Chad Sentences Eight Opposition Leaders to Prison and Bans Coalition
Primary region Africa
Tags Justice · Elections · Protest
Regions Africa
A Chadian court sentenced eight opposition leaders to eight years in prison each on charges of criminal association, rebellion, and illegal possession of weapons, one day after the Supreme Court ordered the dissolution of their coalition GCAP. The defendants were arrested in late April, one week before a planned protest march that the government banned. GCAP was the only movement to systematically challenge President Mahamat Idriss Deby's May 2024 election, which it boycotted. Defense lawyer Moussa Adoum called the charges 'non-existent' and announced plans to appeal.
Strategic interpretation
The sentencing follows the May 2025 imprisonment of former PM Succes Masra and the October 2025 constitutional revision allowing unlimited presidential terms, consolidating the Deby dynasty's hold on power. Chad's strategic importance as a host of French and US military bases in the Sahel may insulate the regime from significant international pressure.