Living in Chad is not always easy for political activists. This is what the seventy-two members of the Transformers party experienced when they were arrested on October 8. Their crime? Play sports on a pitch in N’Djamena and prepare for the return of their leader Succès Masra. Fortunately, on November 5, they were released, ending weeks of allegedly arbitrary detention.
The conditions in which these activists were detained were described as inhumane by their party. Crowded into a single cell in the general intelligence service, they had to endure the stifling heat without a mosquito net, not to mention the impossibility for their families to bring them food. It is therefore with immense relief that Me Allatan Ndordji, member of the collective of lawyers responsible for their defense, welcomed their release.
However, despite this release, the exact reasons for their arrest remain unclear. Intelligence accused the group of undergoing military training, while The Transformers claimed they were simply jogging. This case highlights political tensions in Chad and raises questions about the independence of the judiciary. According to Me Allatan Ndordji, these arrests were linked to the negotiations and the agreement for the return of Succès Masra to the country.
This situation is unfortunately not new in Chad, especially since the junta came to power. Political activists live in constant fear of being arbitrarily arrested. Me Allatan Ndordji calls on the executive power to respect the separation of powers and to guarantee the independence of the judicial power. It is crucial not to interfere in court matters and to ensure that these baseless arrests do not happen again in the future.
It is essential to highlight these recurring situations in Chad to raise public awareness and encourage the necessary changes. Political activists must be able to exercise their fundamental rights without fear of unjustified reprisals. Let us hope that the release of these seventy-two activists marks the beginning of a new era of respect for human rights and democracy in Chad.