Tchad facing alarming political and security crisis

The political party « Les Patriotes » held a press conference this Wednesday, May 13, at its headquarters in the Bololo district of N’Djamena’s second arrondissement. During the event, spokesperson Hisseine Abdoulaye condemned what he described as a « dangerously volatile » politico-security situation, along with the alleged unfair conviction of eight leaders from the former political coalition known as the Groupe de concertation des acteurs politiques (GCAP).

The party highlighted Chad’s current instability, driven by a surge in Boko Haram attacks in the Lac Province and escalating intercommunal clashes in the east and south. Recent military operations in Barka Tolorom and Kaïga Kindjiria reportedly resulted in 23 soldier fatalities, while tribal violence in Wadi Fira—fueled by arms trafficking from Sudan—has claimed over 40 lives.

On the political front, « Les Patriotes » accused authorities of suppressing opposition voices, citing the death 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 growing press intimidation.

Additionally, the party challenged the eight-year prison sentences handed down to eight GCAP-affiliated party leaders, arrested on April 25 at the PAP/JS headquarters without warrants, according to their claims. Among those convicted is Nassour Ibrahim Koursami, leader of « Les Patriotes ». The charges—ranging from unlawful assembly to rebellion and illegal arms possession—were dismissed by the party as baseless, accusing prosecutors, the Minister of Territorial Administration, and the Supreme Court president of orchestrating a hasty legal maneuver to silence dissent.

The party demanded the immediate, unconditional release of the convicted leaders and urged international observers to closely monitor the case. Concluding the press conference, Hisseine Abdoulaye called for public mobilization to « end this political farce and restore democracy », quoting George Orwell: « Tyranny fears truth because truth does not obey. »