Tchad court confirms 20-year sentence for Succès Masra

In a decisive legal ruling, Chad’s Supreme Court has upheld the 20-year prison sentence handed down to opposition leader Succès Masra.

The confirmation came on Thursday, finalizing the August 9, 2025 conviction after the former prime minister’s appeal was dismissed. The court found Masra and over 70 others guilty on multiple serious charges tied to the Mandakao massacre.

Among the accusations upheld were the dissemination of racist and xenophobic messages, criminal association, and complicity in murder. These charges stem from events surrounding the violent clashes that occurred in Mandakao.

The defense team, led by lawyer Kadjilembaye Francis, argued vigorously against the verdict, but the five-judge panel upheld the lower court’s decision without exception. With no further domestic appeals possible, the sentence is now final—unless the President intervenes with a pardon.

In response, representatives of Les Transformateurs party condemned the ruling as politically motivated and legally unjust. Legal experts confirm that the only remaining avenues for Masra lie in regional or international courts, though such appeals are complex and time-consuming.