Chad opposition leaders call for release of jailed critics

The head of Chad’s Rassemblement pour la Justice et l’Égalité (RAJET), Ordjei Abderahim Chaha, has issued a heartfelt plea to President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, urging clemency for imprisoned leaders from the former GCAP coalition and the Les Transformateurs party.

In a sharply worded open letter, Chaha challenges the government’s continued detention of these political figures, arguing that their imprisonment “leaves a bitter aftertaste” on democracy and tarnishes the reputation of Chad’s judiciary. He stresses that embracing dissent is not a sign of weakness but a hallmark of political maturity—one that strengthens liberal democracy and safeguards freedom.

“A thriving democracy thrives on opposition,” Chaha writes. “It is the seasoning that makes the democratic process palatable, the lifeblood that keeps political freedom alive.” He warns that suppressing opposition voices would turn democracy into “cold ashes,” paving the way for authoritarianism. The RAJET leader calls on the President to cement his legacy by freeing all detained critics, regardless of political affiliation.

Chaha also champions the urgent need for a national dialogue, framing it as a unifying force that fosters patriotism. He insists that jailed opponents are not opposed to dialogue—in fact, he argues, it is through such conversations that “the light of peace and progress” emerges. The leader cautions the President against advisors who stoke division, labeling them as “gravediggers of the Republic” who peddle false narratives to justify harsh measures.

In closing, Chaha demands the immediate release of all imprisoned opposition figures, so they may join the national dialogue and help “heal the nation’s deep wounds.”