Chad’s Supreme Court in N’Djamena has definitively rejected the appeal filed by former Prime Minister Succès Masra’s legal team. This ruling confirms his 20-year prison sentence for involvement in the deadly Mandakao unrest.

Former Chadian Prime Minister and leader of the Transformers party, Succès Masra, has seen his 20-year prison sentence finalized. On May 21, Chad’s Supreme Court dismissed his legal team’s appeal, exhausting all domestic legal avenues.

Masra was initially sentenced in August by the criminal court for “spreading racist and xenophobic messages,” “criminal association,” and “complicity in murder.” The justice system held him accountable for a 2023 message that allegedly contributed to intercommunal clashes in Mandakao in May 2025.

A heavy security presence, including police and military forces, surrounded the Supreme Court during the hearing, restricting access despite it being a public session.

With this decision, Masra’s national legal options are exhausted. His legal team may now explore regional or international avenues. Supporters of the opposition figure have condemned the trial as politically motivated, with party spokesperson Claudia Hoinathy stating, “We hope a political solution will be reached.”