Following the sentencing of eight Chadian opposition leaders to eight years in prison, Alifa Younous Mahamat has condemned what he describes as a deliberate strategy to silence political opposition in Chad. The PSF coordinator, speaking from exile in France, highlights an alarming trend where dissent is systematically crushed through judicial and political repression.

Listen to Alifa Younous Mahamat’s statement

political justice weaponized against dissent

Eight leaders from opposition parties within the Groupe de concertation des acteurs politiques (GCAP) were handed eight-year prison sentences in N’Djamena. This coalition represents the primary opposition force challenging Mahamat Idriss Déby’s government. Mahamat condemns these verdicts as « arbitrary and politically motivated », stating: « This case exposes Chad’s dangerous slide toward dictatorship, where fear and repression enforce a single narrative ». The arrests occurred just days before a planned protest march that authorities had banned.

systematic suppression of dissent in Tchad

For Mahamat, the imprisonment of GCAP leaders is part of a broader campaign to eliminate credible opposition. He asserts that « every dissenting voice is systematically and completely crushed », painting a picture of a country where fundamental freedoms are increasingly restricted. « Opposition parties face impossible conditions to exercise basic rights—freedom of expression, assembly, and organization », he explains. This latest crackdown follows the 20-year prison sentence handed to Succès Masra, a prominent opposition figure and former prime minister.

Tchad diaspora amplifies opposition calls

The Chadian diaspora in France and Europe plays a critical role in keeping international attention on the country’s political crisis. « We give voice to those who cannot speak out », Mahamat explains, noting their efforts to engage with international institutions and human rights organizations. « We urgently call for a strong response from the global community », he emphasizes. His coordination with French political leaders, including meetings with deputies and senators from La France insoumise and its leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, underscores the importance of international solidarity in addressing the deteriorating situation.