Chad’s Former Prime Minister Succes Masra Reportedly Abducted by Military

Succes Masra, former prime minister of Chad and vocal critic of the regime, was reportedly abducted from his home by armed military personnel. The incident highlights the ongoing political repression under President Mahamat Idriss Deby, amidst claims of a flawed electoral process and silenced opposition in Chad’s recent electoral history.

In a troubling development for Chad’s political landscape, the former Prime Minister, Succes Masra, was reportedly abducted from his home early Friday morning. His political party, Les Transformateurs, announced the incident via an official statement on Facebook. They reported that the abduction occurred at 5:56 AM on May 16, 2024, and included claims that military personnel forcibly entered his residence, which also functions as the party’s headquarters.

An unverified video accompanying the post purported to show Masra being led away by approximately a dozen armed men dressed in military uniforms. Masra, who held the position of Prime Minister from January to May in 2024, has been a notable adversary of the current regime, previously challenging President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno during the presidential elections held last year.

In those elections, Masra secured 18.5 percent of the vote, while Deby garnered 61.3 percent. Despite his defeat, Masra proclaimed personal victory on the grounds of perceived electoral injustices. His opposition to Deby’s government has positioned him as a significant figure in Chad’s tense political narrative.

President Mahamat Idriss Deby, who assumed power in 2021 following the death of his father Idriss Deby Itno after a prolonged rule, has faced escalating unrest. Initially promising a transition to democracy that would last 18 months, Deby has since extended this transition another two years. Opposition entities have faced increasing repression, leading many critics to flee or be silenced under his regime.

In December 2023, a controversial new constitution was passed in a referendum. Following this, Deby was reelected in May 2024, amid widespread denouncements from international monitors, who questioned the credibility of the electoral process. This political backdrop raises serious concerns about the stability and future of democracy in Chad, particularly for opposition leaders like Masra.

The reported abduction of Succes Masra underscores the ongoing tensions within Chad’s political scene. As a former Prime Minister and a vocal critic of the current regime, Masra’s disappearance raises alarms about the treatment of opposition voices in the country. The situation reflects deeper issues surrounding democracy and governance in Chad, especially under President Mahamat Idriss Deby’s increasingly authoritarian rule.

Original Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com