Former Prime Minister of Chad and noted opposition leader, Succès Masra, has been apprehended amid allegations of his involvement in a violent clash that claimed at least 42 lives in the southwestern region of the country. The public prosecutor, Oumar Mahamat Kedelaye, indicated that Masra is suspected of inciting violence through social media platforms.
Masra's political party, the Transformers, has vehemently condemned the arrest, claiming he was “kidnapped” by military personnel early in the morning, and criticized the lack of legal adherence in his detention process. As a prominent critic of current President Mahamat Déby, Masra previously challenged the president's legitimacy, asserting that he emerged victorious in last year's elections, despite official results declaring Déby the winner with 61% of the vote.
The violent incident occurred in the village of Mandakao in Logone Occidental province, close to the Cameroon border. Reports suggest that the unrest was fueled by social media messages urging locals to take arms against each other. Although the exact catalyst for the violence remains unclear, sources indicate it may stem from a land dispute between Ngambaye farmers and Fulani herders, exacerbating ongoing tensions in the area.
In addition to Masra, over 80 individuals have also been arrested in relation to the clashes. Masra had a brief stint as the interim prime minister under a transitional government from January to May 2024. His party opted out of legislative elections last December, criticizing the electoral system's transparency. The Déby family has maintained control over Chad for over 30 years, with Mahamat Déby succeeding his father Idriss Déby Itno, who was killed by rebels in 2021.
