Chad’s crackdown: how to push back against state repression

The recent sentencing of the leaders of the Group of Political Actors’ Consultation (GCAP), one of Chad’s leading opposition coalitions, is far more than a judicial ruling. It lays bare a stark truth: a government that systematically criminalizes dissent and steadily erodes democratic space.

Since the Transitional Military Council (CMT) seized power in April 2021, Chad has been sliding into a downward spiral of shrinking political freedoms. This trend has been meticulously documented by both local and international human rights organizations, which warn of a tightening civic space.

Reports highlight mounting restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly, and association. Protests are routinely dispersed with excessive force, independent media outlets face mounting pressure, and civil society organizations are systematically targeted through arbitrary arrests and legal harassment. The message from authorities is clear: compliance is the only path forward.

Yet, for those committed to democratic principles, silence is not an option. Civil society groups, opposition figures, and citizens must explore every available channel to challenge this repression—whether through legal avenues, international advocacy, or grassroots mobilization. The question now is no longer whether Chad’s democratic fabric can withstand this assault, but how quickly and effectively resistance can organize to reverse the tide.