Chad’s Supreme Court in N’Djamena has rejected the appeal filed by attorneys for former Prime Minister Succès Masra, sealing his 20-year prison sentence in connection with deadly violence in Mandakao.

Chad’s former Prime Minister and leader of the Transformers party, Succès Masra, now faces a definitive 20-year prison sentence. On May 21, N’Djamena’s Supreme Court dismissed his legal team’s appeal, closing the door on further domestic legal challenges.

Masra was initially sentenced last August by the Criminal Court for charges including “dissemination of racist and xenophobic messages,” “criminal association,” and “complicity in murder.” The prosecution highlighted a 2023 message attributed to him, which authorities claim fueled intercommunal clashes in Mandakao during May 2025.

A heavy security presence, including police and military units, was deployed around the Supreme Court building during the hearing, restricting public access despite the session’s public nature.

With this ruling, Masra’s domestic legal avenues are exhausted. His remaining options may now lie with sub-regional or international courts. Supporters of the opposition leader have condemned the trial as politically motivated. “We hope a political solution will be found,” stated Claudia Hoinathy, a senior figure in the Transformers party.