The Patriotic Party (Les Patriotes) held an emergency press conference this Wednesday at its headquarters in the Bololo district of N’Djamena’s second arrondissement. Party spokesperson Hisseine Abdoulaye outlined what he described as an « alarming politico-security meltdown » and condemned the eight-year prison sentences handed down to eight political party leaders from the former Political Actors Consultation Group (GCAP).

Violence surges across Chad as instability deepens

Chad is grappling with a severe security crisis, marked by a resurgence of Boko Haram attacks in the Lac Province and escalating inter-community clashes in the east and south. Recent military operations in Barka Tolorom and Kaïga Kindjiria resulted in 23 soldier fatalities, while tribal violence in the Wadi Fira region—fueled by illegal arms trafficking from Sudan—has claimed over 40 lives.

Political repression escalates, opposition under fire

The Patriotic Party accuses authorities of systematically suppressing dissent, citing the alleged assassination of Yaya Dillo, the imprisonment of Succès Masra, and the Supreme Court’s dissolution of the GCAP. The party also highlights severe restrictions on public freedoms and intensified crackdowns on the press.

At the center of the controversy is the April 25 mass arrest of eight opposition leaders—including Nassour Ibrahim Koursami, party president—outside the headquarters of the PAP/JS without warrants. They were convicted on charges including unlawful assembly, criminal association, insurrection, rebellion, and illegal arms possession, though the party insists no credible evidence supports these claims.

The Patriotic Party alleges the prosecutor, Interior Minister, and Supreme Court Chief Justice orchestrated a hasty trial to silence political opposition. It demands the immediate, unconditional release of all detainees and urges international observers to scrutinize the case closely.

A call to action for democratic restoration

Concluding the press conference, Hisseine Abdoulaye issued an urgent appeal for public mobilization, declaring, « We must end this political charade and restore democracy. » Echoing George Orwell’s warning, he added, « Tyrants fear truth because truth cannot be controlled. »