The Chadian government is pushing for a lengthy prison term for former Prime Minister Succes Masra, who is facing multiple serious charges linked to deadly violence in the country’s south earlier this year.
In court on Thursday, the prosecutor called for a 25-year sentence. Masra, who leads the Transformers Party, is accused of spreading xenophobic messages, engaging in criminal conspiracy, and being involved in murder.
Authorities allege that in May, just days before his arrest, Masra encouraged one side of a violent inter-communal clash in southern Chad to take up arms. The unrest left at least 76 people dead. The prosecution presented an audio recording in which Masra is allegedly heard making the call to violence.
Masra has denied all the charges. He briefly served as prime minister in 2024 before resigning to run for president, ultimately losing to Mahamat Idriss Déby, the then-junta leader.
