Chadian opposition condemns weaponised justice following GCAP verdicts

Leading figures from the Chadian opposition movement Les Patriotes have accused authorities of wielding the justice system as a political tool, following the sentencing of eight prominent members of the GCAP coalition. In a strongly worded address delivered at the party’s headquarters in Bololo, N’Djaména, spokesperson Hisseine Abdoulaye outlined what he described as a deepening crisis gripping the nation—one characterised by escalating insecurity, communal violence and shrinking civic freedoms.

Rising insecurity and state fragility

The Patriotes’ statement highlighted a deteriorating security landscape, particularly in the Lake Chad basin where repeated Boko Haram raids have intensified pressure on national forces. The party also drew attention to deadly intercommunal clashes in the east, notably in the Wadi Fira region, which have claimed dozens of lives. Officials argued that these developments expose critical weaknesses in the national security apparatus and fuel a broader climate of instability.

Political repression under scrutiny

On the political front, Les Patriotes condemned what they termed an ‘authoritarian hardening’ under the current administration. The party cited a series of high-profile cases—including the killing of Yaya Dillo, the detention of Succès Masra and, most recently, the sentencing of eight GCAP leaders to eight years in prison—as evidence of a concerted effort to silence dissent and weaken opposition voices. Authorities were accused of orchestrating these prosecutions with uncharacteristic speed, allegedly coordinating through the Office of the Public Prosecutor, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and the Supreme Court to politically neutralise the dissolved coalition.

Legal proceedings face scrutiny

The Patriotes challenged the legitimacy of the charges brought against the GCAP leaders, dismissing accusations of unlawful assembly, criminal association, insurrection, rebellion and illegal arms possession as baseless. Party officials contended that the prosecution’s case rested on flimsy or fabricated evidence, with some alleged offences described as entirely fictitious. They called for an immediate and unconditional release of all detained political figures, warning that the convictions risked deepening national divisions.

Calls for international intervention and civic action

In a sweeping appeal to global human rights defenders and rule-of-law advocates, Les Patriotes urged close international scrutiny of the case. The party also launched a domestic call for grassroots mobilisation, national dialogue and unity to safeguard democratic principles and prevent further erosion of political and social stability in Chad.