Chad opposition voices systematically silenced, warns activist Alifa Younous Mahamat
The coordinator of Chad’s Socialist Party Without Borders (PSF) in France and Europe, Alifa Younous Mahamat, has issued a stark warning about the escalating suppression of political dissent in Chad. Speaking during a recent interview, he condemned the recent eight-year prison sentences handed to eight opposition leaders as evidence of a deepening authoritarian crisis.
Political justice weaponized against Chad’s opposition
Eight prominent leaders from parties within the Political Actors Consultation Group (GCAP), the country’s largest opposition coalition, were sentenced to eight years in prison in N’Djamena. These convictions followed their arrest ahead of a prohibited protest march, a move Alifa Younous Mahamat describes as a deliberate attempt to crush democratic freedoms.
« This verdict is a clear example of how justice is being manipulated for political purposes, » he stated. « The situation in Chad is deteriorating into outright dictatorship, where fear and repression are used to enforce a single, unchallenged narrative. »
Systematic silencing of dissenting voices
For the PSF leader, this crackdown represents more than isolated judicial actions—it reflects a coordinated strategy to eliminate credible opposition. « Every dissenting voice is systematically and completely crushed, » he emphasized, highlighting a dramatic erosion of fundamental freedoms in Chad.
« Opposition parties now face impossible conditions: they cannot freely express themselves, organize, or assemble. The right to dissent has been systematically erased, » he warned. The recent sentencing comes just months after Succès Masra, a leading opposition figure and former Prime Minister, was handed a 20-year prison term.
Chadian diaspora mobilizes for international support
From exile in France and Europe, the Chadian diaspora is working to keep global attention on the crisis. « We are the voice of those who cannot speak, » Mahamat explained. « Our role is to engage with international institutions and human rights organizations to demand accountability. »
He revealed that PSF representatives have held meetings with French lawmakers, including figures from La France Insoumise, and even met with party leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon. « The international community must take a firm stand against these abuses, » he urged.
Key takeaways:
- The recent prison sentences against eight opposition leaders highlight Chad’s escalating authoritarian drift under Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno.
- Activists warn of a systematic crackdown on dissent, with opposition parties denied basic freedoms.
- The Chadian diaspora is leveraging international networks to pressure for democratic reforms.
With political repression intensifying, the opposition’s fight for democracy in Chad grows increasingly urgent.
