HRW urges Chad to annul opposition leader's conviction despite pardon

Human Rights Watch is calling on Chad to fully annul the conviction of opposition leader Succès Masra, arguing that a presidential pardon alone is insufficient. The organization warns that Masra's criminal record and a significant financial penalty, imposed after his arrest on what HRW calls "false charges," continue to disqualify him from running for public office.

Masra, who briefly served as prime minister earlier this year, was detained in May 2025 following presidential elections where he competed against Mahamat Idriss Déby. Prosecutors accused him of inciting hatred and violence through social media posts related to intercommunal clashes that resulted in 42 deaths. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison and fined along with 74 co-defendants.

Lewis Mudge, HRW's Central Africa director, stated that while Masra's release is positive, Chad's authorities must go further. "Masra was detained on false charges in an attempt to silence him," Mudge said. "Chad's authorities must go beyond the presidential pardon and ensure his conviction is annulled."

HRW also highlighted that 65 co-defendants remain imprisoned and should have their sentences overturned. The pardon also benefited eight leaders from a dissolved political platform who were serving eight-year sentences for planning a peaceful demonstration. The organization asserts that Masra's arrest is part of a broader pattern of repression against dissent in Chad since Déby took power in 2021.

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The release of Masra and other political opponents is good news, but Masra was arrested on false charges in an attempt to silence him. Chad's authorities must go beyond the presidential pardon and ensure his conviction is annulled.