Latest news with #Masra
Morocco World
12-08-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Chadian Opposition Leader Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison
Rabat – A court in Chad has sentenced the nation's main opposition leader and former Prime Minister Success Masra to 20 years in prison. This was after he was found guilty of hate speech, xenophobia and inciting a massacre. He was given the sentence by a court in the nation's capital N'Djamena. Masra was on trial alongside 67 co-defendants who were accused of starting intercommunal violence in the nation's southern regions. In May large-scale clashes had occurred in the Logone Occidental southwest region leading to over forty deaths and injuring several others. However, the former Prime Minister and his lawyers deny the charges and have stated their intention to lead an appeal. On Saturday in a message to his supporters he called for them to, 'stand firm.' His defense lawyers stated that the Prime Minister had been, 'subjected to ignominy and an unworthy humiliation.' Masara is currently the leader of the nation's largest opposition party, Transformers, and one of the sharpest critics against Mahamat Deby's regime . He comes from the Ngambaye ethnic group and enjoys wide popularity among the predominantly Christian and animist population, which feels isolated from the Muslim-dominated N'Djamena government. He had been Prime Minister from January to May 2024 but ran against Deby during the 2024 election. However, Deby gained 61% of the vote, having originally taken power through a military coup after the death of his father. Critics did not accept the results and have claimed that the vote was subject to widespread vote rigging and control. Despite a reconciliation deal being reached between Deby and Masra, the court decision demonstrates a serious democratic-backsliding and the rise of authoritarianism within the Central African country.
Calgary Herald
10-08-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Chad court jails ex-PM, opposition leader for 20 years
Article content N'Djamena (AFP) — A court in Chad jailed former prime minister and opposition leader Succes Masra for 20 years Saturday, convicting him of hate speech, xenophobia and having incited a massacre. Article content The court in N'Djamena jailed Masra, one of President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno's fiercest critics, for his role in inciting inter-communal violence in which 42 people were killed on May 14. Article content Article content Article content Most of the massacre victims were women and children in Mandakao, southwestern Chad, according to the court. On Friday, the state prosecutor had called for a 25-year sentence. Article content Article content 'Our client has just been the object of a humiliation,' lead defence lawyer Francis Kadjilembaye told AFP. Article content 'He has just been convicted on the basis of an empty dossier, on the basis of assumptions and in the absence of evidence,' he added. Article content What we had witnessed, he said, was the weaponisation of the courts. Article content Activists with his Transformers Party said they would put out a 'special message' later Saturday. Article content Masra was arrested on May 16, two days after the violence, and charged with 'inciting hatred, revolt, forming and complicity with armed gangs, complicity in murder, arson and desecration of graves'. Article content He stood trial with nearly 70 other men accused of taking part in the killings. Article content Article content – Presidential candidate – Article content Originally from Chad's south, Masra comes from the Ngambaye ethnic group and enjoys wide popularity among the predominantly Christian and animist populations of the south. Article content Those groups feel marginalised by the largely Muslim-dominated regime in the capital N'Djamena. Article content During the trial, Masra's lawyers argued that no concrete evidence against him had been presented to the court. Article content He went on hunger strike in jail for nearly a month in June, his lawyers said at the time. Article content Like other opposition leaders, Masra had left Chad after a bloody crackdown on his followers in 2022, only returning under an amnesty agreed in 2024. Article content Trained as an economist in France and Cameroon, Masra had been a fierce opponent of the ruling authorities before they named him prime minister five months ahead of the presidential election.
Toronto Sun
10-08-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Chad court jails ex-PM, opposition leader for 20 years
Masra's lawyers argued that no concrete evidence against him had been presented to the court Photo by Joris Bolomey / AFP/File N'Djamena (AFP) — A court in Chad jailed former prime minister and opposition leader Succes Masra for 20 years Saturday, convicting him of hate speech, xenophobia and having incited a massacre. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The court in N'Djamena jailed Masra, one of President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno's fiercest critics, for his role in inciting inter-communal violence in which 42 people were killed on May 14. Most of the massacre victims were women and children in Mandakao, southwestern Chad, according to the court. On Friday, the state prosecutor had called for a 25-year sentence. 'Our client has just been the object of a humiliation,' lead defence lawyer Francis Kadjilembaye told AFP. 'He has just been convicted on the basis of an empty dossier, on the basis of assumptions and in the absence of evidence,' he added. What we had witnessed, he said, was the weaponisation of the courts. Activists with his Transformers Party said they would put out a 'special message' later Saturday. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Masra was arrested on May 16, two days after the violence, and charged with 'inciting hatred, revolt, forming and complicity with armed gangs, complicity in murder, arson and desecration of graves'. He stood trial with nearly 70 other men accused of taking part in the killings. – Presidential candidate – Originally from Chad's south, Masra comes from the Ngambaye ethnic group and enjoys wide popularity among the predominantly Christian and animist populations of the south. Those groups feel marginalised by the largely Muslim-dominated regime in the capital N'Djamena. During the trial, Masra's lawyers argued that no concrete evidence against him had been presented to the court. He went on hunger strike in jail for nearly a month in June, his lawyers said at the time. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Like other opposition leaders, Masra had left Chad after a bloody crackdown on his followers in 2022, only returning under an amnesty agreed in 2024. Trained as an economist in France and Cameroon, Masra had been a fierce opponent of the ruling authorities before they named him prime minister five months ahead of the presidential election. He served as premier from January to May last year after signing a reconciliation deal with Deby. Masra faced off against Deby in the 2024 presidential elections, winning 18.5 percent against Deby's 61.3 percent, but claimed victory. Of the May 14 killings, one local source said they were thought to have sprung from a dispute between ethnic Fulani nomadic herders and local Ngambaye farmers over the demarcation of grazing and farming areas. Conflicts between pastoralists and sedentary farmers are estimated by the International Crisis Group to have caused more than 1,000 deaths and 2,000 injuries in Chad between 2021 and 2024. Columnists Columnists Sports Toronto & GTA Sunshine Girls
Kuwait Times
10-08-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Chad court jails ex-PM, opposition leader for 20 years
N'DJAMENA, Chad: A court in Chad jailed former prime minister and opposition leader Succes Masra for 20 years Saturday, convicting him of hate speech, xenophobia and having incited a massacre. The court in N'Djamena jailed Masra, one of President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno's fiercest critics, for his role in inciting inter-communal violence in which 42 people were killed on May 14. It also imposed a fine of one billion CFA francs (1.5 million euros). Most of the massacre victims were women and children in Mandakao, southwestern Chad, according to the court. On Friday, the state prosecutor had called for a 25-year sentence. 'Our client has just been the object of a humiliation,' lead defence lawyer Francis Kadjilembaye told AFP. 'He has just been convicted on the basis of an empty dossier, on the basis of assumptions and in the absence of evidence,' he added. He called it a weaponization of the courts. Activists with Masra's Transformers Party gathered later Saturday to protest the conviction and condemn Deby. They said former finance Bedoumra Kordje had been appointed interim party leader. Masra was arrested on May 16, two days after the violence, and charged with 'inciting hatred, revolt, forming and complicity with armed gangs, complicity in murder, arson and desecration of graves'. He stood trial with nearly 70 other men accused of taking part in the killings. Originally from Chad's south, Masra comes from the Ngambaye ethnic group and enjoys wide popularity among the predominantly Christian and animist populations of the south. Those groups feel marginalised by the largely Muslim-dominated regime in the capital N'Djamena. During the trial, Masra's lawyers argued that no concrete evidence against him had been presented to the court. He went on hunger strike in jail for nearly a month in June, his lawyers said at the time. Like other opposition leaders, Masra had left Chad after a bloody crackdown on his followers in 2022, only returning under an amnesty agreed in 2024. Trained as an economist in France and Cameroon, Masra had been a fierce opponent of the ruling authorities before they named him prime minister five months ahead of the presidential election. He served as premier from January to May last year after signing a reconciliation deal with Deby. Masra faced off against Deby in the 2024 presidential elections, winning 18.5 percent against Deby's 61.3 percent, but claimed victory. Of the May 14 killings, one local source said they were thought to have sprung from a dispute between ethnic Fulani nomadic herders and local Ngambaye farmers over the demarcation of grazing and farming areas. Conflicts between pastoralists and sedentary farmers are estimated by the International Crisis Group to have caused more than 1,000 deaths and 2,000 injuries in Chad between 2021 and 2024. – AFP
See - Sada Elbalad
10-08-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Chad Opposition Leader Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison
Israa Farhan Former Chadian Prime Minister and prominent opposition figure Succès Masra has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of disseminating racist and xenophobic messages inciting violence, Reuters reported on Saturday, citing his lawyer. Masra, a staunch critic of President Mahamat Idriss Déby, served as prime minister in Déby's interim government for nearly five months before running against him in the May 2024 presidential election. The charges stem from a violent incident in May in the southern town of Mandakou, where dozens were killed during clashes. The Chadian prosecutor's office opened an investigation into Masra that same month. In addition to the prison sentence, the court imposed a fine of one billion CFA francs, equivalent to about 1.8 million US dollars. Masra's legal team has confirmed plans to appeal the ruling. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date Videos & Features Story behind Trending Jessica Radcliffe Death Video News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Arts & Culture Lebanese Media: Fayrouz Collapses after Death of Ziad Rahbani
