The political party « Les Patriotes » held an emergency press conference this past Wednesday, May 13, at its headquarters in the Bololo district of N’Djamena’s second arrondissement. Hisseine Abdoulaye, the party’s spokesperson, condemned what he described as an « alarmingly chaotic politico-security situation, » along with the « unjust » sentencing of eight opposition leaders—former members of the Groupe de concertation des acteurs politiques (GCAP).
In a scathing assessment, the party outlined Chad’s deepening instability, pointing to 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 smuggling from Sudan—has left over 40 dead.
On the political front, « Les Patriotes » accused authorities of systematically silencing dissent. The party highlighted the fatal shooting of opposition figure Yaya Dillo, the detention of Succès Masra, and the Supreme Court’s dissolution of the GCAP. It also condemned restrictions on public freedoms and repeated violations against the press.
The party vehemently rejected the eight-year prison sentences handed down to eight GCAP-affiliated party leaders, arrested on April 25 at the PAP/JS headquarters without warrants, as claimed by the defendants. Among those convicted is Nassour Ibrahim Koursami, president of Les Patriotes. Charges—including unlawful assembly, criminal conspiracy, insurrection, rebellion, and illegal arms possession—were dismissed as baseless by the party, which alleges a coordinated effort by the prosecutor, territorial administration minister, and Supreme Court chief to dismantle opposition through expedited trials.
Demanding the immediate, unconditional release of all detainees, the party urged international observers to closely monitor the case. « Chad’s democracy is under siege, » Hisseine Abdoulaye warned, calling for mass mobilization to « dismantle this political charade and restore democratic integrity. » Echoing George Orwell, he stressed, « Tyrants fear truth because truth does not submit to oppression. »
