“Black Thursday” of October 20, 2022 will remain engraved in the collective memory of Chad. It marks a sad anniversary, one year after the bloody repression of demonstrations against the extension of the transition. Today, no demonstrations are planned, organizers are calling for a “time of contemplation”, but human rights defenders continue to demand justice for the victims.
The figures vary from one report to another, but all agree on a tragic outcome. According to the National Human Rights Commission, 128 deaths have been documented, but according to the Chadian Human Rights League, this figure rises to at least 218 deaths. The authorities speak of 73 victims, including members of the police, in their attempt to reverse the transition.
Unfortunately, a year after these events, no independent investigation has been opened. Human rights defenders continue to call for an international investigation to shed light on this violence. The president of the Chadian League for Human Rights, Me Adoum Boucar Mahamat, deplores a “lead weight” weighing on the country and a radicalization of power. The recommendations made in previous reports remain a dead letter for the moment.
The Minister of Communication, Aziz Mahamat Saleh, affirms that there is neither vindictiveness nor manhunt and that reconciliation cannot happen instantly. He insists that justice remains open to victims who wish to file a complaint. However, until now, no significant progress has been observed in this area.
A glimmer of hope, however, comes from the drafting of an investigation report by the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). Although this report has not yet been released, it is expected to be released soon. Human rights advocates hope this report will provide answers and help advance the demand for justice for victims.
In parallel with this situation, it is important to remember that activists from the Les Transformateurs party are currently detained without having been presented to a magistrate or having been able to consult a lawyer. This situation is worrying and shows that freedom of expression and democracy remain fragile in Chad.
In conclusion, one year after “Black Thursday”, the demand for justice for the victims remains at the heart of concerns. An independent investigation is necessary to shed light on this violence and bring those responsible to justice. The road to reconciliation and democracy is still long, but the perseverance of human rights defenders continues to remind us that hope remains.