Chad's Former PM Succes Masra Arrested Over Deadly Clashes

Chad's former prime minister and opposition leader, Succes Masra, has been arrested and is under investigation for alleged involvement in deadly clashes that killed at least 40 people in the southwest province of Logone Occidental. Prosecutor Oumar Mahamat Kedelaye accused Masra of inciting hatred and violence through social media messages urging the population to arm themselves against other communities, linked to a land dispute between farmers and herders. Masra's party, the Transformers, has denounced his detention as unlawful and politically motivated, highlighting his opposition to President Mahamat Déby's administration, which has ruled Chad since 2021. Masra briefly served as interim prime minister in early 2024 but resigned amid disputed elections that he claimed were stolen. The arrest has intensified concerns about Chad's shrinking democratic space and the government's crackdown on opposition, protests, and media freedoms. Over 80 others have also been detained in connection with the clashes, which reflect ongoing ethnic and land conflicts in the country.