Chad’s ex-premier urges Macron to act after prolonged detention

Edited by: Fatima Babadin

After two months in detention without trial, Chad’s former prime minister and opposition leader Succès Masra is turning to French President Emmanuel Macron for help, seeking international intervention in what his legal team describes as a case driven by political motives.

Masra’s lawyers have sent a detailed request to the French presidency, appealing for Macron’s involvement and criticizing the lack of public response from the French leader. They are calling for diplomatic efforts to encourage Masra’s release and highlight what they believe is a serious breach of legal rights.

The case centers on accusations against Masra of involvement in a violent incident that left dozens dead in southern Chad last May. He firmly rejects all allegations and maintains that the prosecution is being manipulated for political purposes. His lawyers argue that the main evidence consists of an audio statement recorded long before the alleged crime, and they claim that the investigation has been subject to political pressure from Chadian authorities.

In the face of what they see as a compromised justice system and dwindling domestic options, Masra’s defense team is looking to the international community for support. Their move comes as the political climate in Chad remains tense, with growing calls for fair process and respect for fundamental rights.