“October 20, 2022 will remain the significant date of a decisive turning point in the history of Chad. That day, thousands of demonstrators defied repression to express their opposition to the extension of the political transition period. Unfortunately, these peaceful demonstrations were violently repressed, causing, according to official sources, 73 victims, a figure contested by the organizers who estimate the number of deaths at nearly 300.
A year after these tragic events, the opposition party Les Transformateurs, which had actively participated in this protest movement, finds itself once again at the forefront of the political scene. Authorized to operate again, the party nevertheless remains confronted with significant obstacles in the exercise of its activity.
The headquarters of the Transformers, located in Ndjamena, remains closed to members and activists. This situation pushes party members to carry out their actions almost clandestinely, organizing their meetings in alternative locations as a security measure. Tog-Yeum Nagorngar, national secretary of the Transformers, confirms this reality by explaining that all the posters and the plaque of the headquarters were removed, and that even the young people responsible for cleaning the place were prevented from doing so. These actions appear to be a strategy aimed at preventing Transformers from regaining their place on the Chadian political scene.
Tension rose further when 72 Transformers activists were arrested while jogging in anticipation of the return to Chad of their president, Succès Masra, which was ultimately postponed. These activists are currently detained without access to a lawyer, raising serious concerns about their legal situation and their fundamental rights. General Mahamat Charfadine Margui, Minister of Public Security, defends himself by asserting that these activists received quasi-military self-defense training and justifies this arrest by the previous activities of the party which would have been marked by acts of vandalism and violent confrontations. The Transformers party refutes this accusation and claims to be the victim of political restrictions.
Despite these difficulties, Transformers are adapting to the situation by organizing more and more activities online. This new approach in no way discourages party members, because the Transformers movement is above all a state of mind. So, even if they face political obstacles, they will continue to fight for their ideals and for a democratic and prosperous Chad.”
Chad: one year after the repression of pro-democracy demonstrations, Transformers still under pressure, RFI, October 20, 2023.