Mahamat Déby

In 2026, human rights organisations described a persistently restricted political environment, with intimidation of opponents and journalists and the continued imprisonment of Succès Masra following his 2025 conviction.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

Celebratory gunfire by soldiers, police and civilians following announcement of the results killed several people and injured residents; HRW subsequently denounced the lack of meaningful investigation and reparations.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

Former Prime Minister and leading opposition figure Succès Masra was arrested following deadly clashes and accused of incitement to hatred and violence.

Person targeted by the proceedings

Succès Masra

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

Masra was sentenced to twenty years in prison for incitement to violence, racist or xenophobic messages and complicity in murder, according to trial reports.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

Person targeted by the proceedings

Succès Masra

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

Yaya Dillo, a prominent opposition figure and potential presidential candidate, was killed during a security forces' raid on his party headquarters in N'Djamena.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

National organisations funded by the European Union were not accredited to systematically observe the election, while political space narrowed around the vote.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Institutional responsibility

The electoral agency declared Mahamat Déby the winner with approximately 61%; Succès Masra claimed victory and petitioned the Constitutional Council, alleging fraud.

State of the evidence

Disputed

Attribution

Directly implicated

Legislative elections were boycotted by much of the opposition and strengthened the institutional dominance of the Patriotic Salvation Movement.

State of the evidence

Documented

Déby terminated the military cooperation agreement with France, describing the arrangement as outdated and unsuitable for Chad's security and geopolitical needs.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

Hundreds of people arrested after 'Black Thursday' were transferred to Koro Toro prison; reports described torture, inhuman treatment and deaths in custody.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Institutional responsibility

An amnesty law covered acts related to the October 2022 violence, preventing or complicating prosecution of those responsible for serious abuses, according to Human Rights Watch.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Institutional responsibility

The Constitution adopted by referendum replaced the transitional framework and allowed Mahamat Déby, until then military transitional leader, to seek the presidency.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

The Military Council had promised an 18-month transition towards civilian elections, but the deadline was postponed and Mahamat Déby remained in charge of the country.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

The crackdown on demonstrations on 20 October 2022 left 128 dead and 518 injured, according to the National Human Rights Commission, with disproportionate force used by security services.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Institutional responsibility

After Idriss Déby's death, the military installed his son Mahamat Idriss Déby as head of a Transitional Military Council, dissolved Parliament and set aside the constitutional procedure requiring civilian interim leadership.

Attribution

Directly implicated

Security forces used live ammunition and excessive force against demonstrations demanding a return to civilian government; at least seven people were killed and more than 700 arrested.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Institutional responsibility