Chad’s ‘Patriotes’ party slams escalating insecurity and political repression
The ‘Les Patriotes’ political party held a press conference on Wednesday, May 13 at its headquarters in the Bololo district of N’Djamena’s second arrondissement. Speaking on behalf of the party, spokesperson Hisseine Abdoulaye described the current state as a “deepening politico-security crisis” and condemned what he called an “unjust conviction” of eight opposition leaders from the former Group for Political Actors’ Consultation (GCAP).
Military losses and rising intercommunal tensions
The party highlighted Chad’s ongoing instability, citing a surge in Boko Haram attacks in the Lac region and escalating intercommunal clashes in the east and south. Recent military operations in Barka Tolorom and Kaïga Kindjiria reportedly resulted in the deaths of 23 soldiers, while tribal violence in Wadi Fira, fueled by weapons smuggled from Sudan, has claimed over 40 lives.
Political crackdown and crackdown on dissent
On the political front, ‘Les Patriotes’ accused authorities of suppressing opposition voices, pointing to the killing of Yaya Dillo, the imprisonment of Succès Masra, and the Supreme Court’s dissolution of the GCAP. The party also condemned restrictions on public freedoms and repeated violations against the press.
The group criticized the eight-year prison sentences handed to eight party leaders from the former GCAP, arrested on April 25 at the headquarters of the PAP/JS without warrants, according to their claims. Among those convicted is Nassour Ibrahim Koursami, leader of ‘Les Patriotes’. The charges—including unlawful assembly, conspiracy, insurrection, rebellion, and illegal arms possession—were dismissed by the party as baseless, lacking any tangible evidence.
‘Les Patriotes’ alleged that the prosecutor, the Minister of Territorial Administration, and the Supreme Court president orchestrated a “rushed legal process” to silence political opponents. The party demanded the immediate and unconditional release of those convicted and urged the international community to closely monitor the case.
In closing, Hisseine Abdoulaye urged citizens to mobilize, declaring, “We must end this political charade and restore democracy.” Echoing George Orwell, he warned, “Tyrants fear the truth because truth does not obey.”
