Chad political repression grows as opposition leaders face harsh sentences

Chad’s democratic decline: opposition crushed under heavy sentences

Two weeks after their arrest for planning a protest against governance failures in Chad, eight opposition leaders have been handed eight-year prison sentences. The Groupe de Concertation des Acteurs Politiques (GCAP), a major opposition coalition, had organized a demonstration scheduled for May 2.

The day before the ruling on May 7, the Supreme Court dissolved the GCAP entirely, removing the last major organized opposition force in the country. These eight leaders now join Succès Masra, the country’s most prominent opposition figure and leader of the Transformers party, who was sentenced in August 2025 to 20 years in prison on charges of inciting hatred.

This wave of repression signals a dangerous shift toward authoritarianism. With the opposition silenced and the ruling Mouvement Patriotique du Salut, led by President Mahamat Idriss Déby, facing no credible challengers, Chad’s democratic prospects are rapidly fading. Public demonstrations have been banned for over six years, and past protests—such as the violent crackdown in October 2022, which left around 200 dead—highlight the regime’s intolerance toward dissent.

The arrest and imprisonment of the GCAP leaders, along with the coalition’s dissolution, have raised concerns about the judiciary’s role in political repression. Defense lawyers argue that their clients were detained without formal charges and subjected to a rushed trial on dubious grounds, including conspiracy, insurrection, rebellion, and illegal arms possession—accusations the legal team strongly disputes.

The injustice of these proceedings has drawn sharp condemnation from civil society and opposition groups, who view the trial as a deliberate attempt to further restrict public space and destabilize the political landscape. International observers, including the United Nations, have reiterated the need to uphold freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly in line with Chad’s human rights obligations.

Beyond protest bans and judicial repression, the use of lethal force has become disturbingly normalized. On April 29, armed assailants attacked a gathering celebrating the eighth anniversary of the Transformers party, leaving one dead, two seriously injured, and the party’s treasurer kidnapped and tortured. While authorities claim to be investigating, such incidents have become routine in recent years.

Since the 2021 political transition following the death of former President Idriss Déby Itno, Chad has slid deeper into authoritarianism. The country risks reverting to a one-party system reminiscent of the regimes under François Tombalbaye (1960–1975) and Hissène Habré (1982–1990), when only pro-regime parties were permitted. These parties acted as propaganda tools, monopolizing public discourse and suppressing dissent.

Under Idriss Déby Itno’s 30-year rule (1990–2021), elections were routinely disputed, and constitutional amendments repeatedly abolished presidential term limits to consolidate power. Tombalbaye and Habré were both ousted in coups, while Déby himself died during clashes with rebel forces attempting to unseat him. These violent upheavals underscore Chad’s long history of instability, marked by cycles of conflict since gaining independence in 1960.

Less than three years after adopting a new constitution through an inclusive national dialogue, Parliament amended the document once again in October 2025, extending the presidential term to seven years. This move further entrenches the ruling party’s dominance and signals a clear backslide toward authoritarian rule.

For Chad to break free from this destructive cycle, urgent measures are needed. The government must prioritize dialogue with opposition parties and civil society, uphold fundamental freedoms, and ensure judicial independence. Security forces must adhere to proportional force during protests, undergo better training, and allow oversight by human rights organizations to prevent abuses.

Regional and international bodies, including the African Union, Economic Community of Central African States, and the United Nations, must urgently advocate for dialogue and democratic restoration. Their previous support for Chad’s transition and constitutional order makes their renewed engagement critical in preventing further escalation of violence and radicalization, particularly among youth.