The Head of State in Chad, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, has publicly supported the country’s Minister of Public Security following a formal complaint lodged by magistrates over remarks they deemed disrespectful to the judiciary.
Balancing freedom of expression and judicial integrity
In a firm statement, the President emphasized that democracy thrives on open discourse, whether from private citizens or public officials, provided it adheres to existing legal frameworks. He cautioned that a judiciary unwilling to accept constructive criticism risks undermining the very social contract that underpins national governance.
This stance led the President to announce his decision to no longer preside over the Higher Council of the Judiciary, signaling a shift in how executive-judicial relations are managed.
Clarifying the minister’s stance
The Chief Executive made it clear that the Minister of Public Security did not attack the justice system as a whole or its magistrates. Instead, his comments targeted specific judicial decisions he believed perpetuated falsehoods, even going so far as to pledge his readiness to expose and dismantle flawed legal rulings.
The role of trade unions in democratic governance
While acknowledging the essential role of trade unions in democratic societies, the President stressed that defending an individual or group must never extend to endorsing actions that compromise justice or ethical standards.
The controversy stems from a widely circulated video where the Minister of Public Security openly criticized certain court rulings, labeling them as facilitators of deception and vowing to challenge their validity.
