N'djamena: The Chadian authorities have come under pressure to overturn the conviction of Succ¨s Masra, the former Chadian prime minister and principal opposition leader, after his release from prison on August 15, 2026, due to a presidential pardon. Despite the pardon, Masra's conviction remains, preventing him from participating fully in the political sphere.

According to African Press Organization, Masra's release, along with eight other political opponents, signifies a positive step, but Human Rights Watch insists that more must be done. Lewis Mudge, Central Africa director at Human Rights Watch, emphasized that Masra's arrest was based on contrived charges aimed at silencing his political voice. Masra's conviction needs to be annulled to allow him to re-engage politically in Chad.

Masra's arrest occurred following his candidacy against transitional President Mahamat Idriss D©by in the 2024 presidential election. He faced accusations of inciting hatred and violence after 42 people died in intercommunal clashes in Logone Occidental province. He was charged with using social media to incite hate, although he had publicly mourned the violence's victims.

Notably, Masra, who maintained his innocence, was tried alongside 74 co-defendants linked to the Mandakao clashes. While nine co-defendants were released, the rest received lengthy prison terms. Human Rights Watch advocates for the release of Masra's co-defendants and the annulment of their convictions, amid unconfirmed reports of deaths in detention.

Additionally, the pardon extended to leaders from the Political Actors Consultation Group (GCAP), who had been serving sentences related to rebellion charges. Despite the Supreme Court's dissolution of GCAP and their prior convictions, the presidential pardon facilitated their release.

While the pardon was positioned as a move towards national reconciliation, critics argue that it is insufficient. Masra and his co-defendants still face a significant financial penalty and their criminal records remain, barring Masra from seeking office. Human Rights Watch calls for a revision of these convictions under Chadian law.

Masra's political journey has been fraught with challenges, including threats during the 2024 elections and a government crackdown on free expression. Following Idriss D©by Itno's death, authorities violently suppressed opposition demonstrations, resulting in numerous casualties, arrests, and harsh treatment of detainees.

In light of these events, Human Rights Watch contends that the charges against Masra were baseless, urging the Chadian government to resolve the matter by vacating Masra's conviction and restoring his political rights.