The political party « Les Patriotes » held a press conference this Wednesday, May 13, at its headquarters in the Bololo neighborhood of N’Djamena’s 2nd arrondissement. Speaking on behalf of the party, its spokesperson Hisseine Abdoulaye condemned what he described as a « chaotic politico-security situation » and what he views as an unjust conviction of eight political party leaders from the former Groupe de concertation des acteurs politiques (GCAP).
The party highlights Chad’s current instability, marked by a surge in Boko Haram attacks in the Lac Province and escalating intercommunal clashes in the east and south. Recent military operations in Barka Tolorom and Kaïga Kindjiria reportedly resulted in the deaths of 23 soldiers. Meanwhile, tribal violence in the Wadi Fira region, fueled by the flow of weapons from Sudan, has claimed over 40 lives.
Political repression and shrinking democratic space
The party also raises concerns about what it calls a crackdown on opposition figures, pointing to the assassination of Yaya Dillo, the imprisonment of Succès Masra, and the dissolution of the GCAP by the Supreme Court. « Les Patriotes » accuses the authorities of systematically restricting public freedoms and targeting the media.
The party strongly disputes the eight-year prison sentences handed down to eight GCAP-affiliated party presidents, including its own leader Nassour Ibrahim Koursami. These arrests, which took place on April 25 at the PAP/JS headquarters without warrants, according to the party, were followed by charges of illegal assembly, criminal association, insurrection, rebellion, and illegal possession of firearms—charges the party deems baseless.
« Les Patriotes » alleges that the prosecutor, the Minister of Territorial Administration, and the President of the Supreme Court orchestrated a rushed legal process to silence political opposition. The party is demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all those convicted and has called on the international community to closely monitor the situation.
A call for unity against political repression
In closing, Hisseine Abdoulaye urged citizens to mobilize, declaring, « We must put an end to this political sham and restore democracy. » Echoing George Orwell’s words, he added, « Tyrants fear the truth because truth does not obey. »
