The political party Les Patriotes held a press conference this Wednesday, May 13, at its headquarters in the Bololo district of N’Djamena’s second arrondissement. Party spokesperson Hisseine Abdoulaye condemned what he described as a « politically and security-wise chaotic situation, » alongside the unjust conviction of eight opposition leaders from the former Groupe de concertation des acteurs politiques (GCAP).
Les Patriotes warns that Chad is grappling with deepening instability, fueled by a surge in Boko Haram attacks in the Lake Province and escalating intercommunal clashes in the east and south. Recent military operations in Barka Tolorom and Kaïga Kindjiria reportedly resulted in 23 soldier casualties, while tribal violence in Wadi Fira, exacerbated by arms trafficking from Sudan, has claimed over 40 lives.
On the political front, the party accuses authorities of suppressing dissent, citing the alleged killing of Yaya Dillo, the detention of Succès Masra, and the Supreme Court’s dissolution of the GCAP. Les Patriotes also alleges systematic curbs on press freedom and public liberties under the current administration.
The party vehemently disputes the eight-year prison sentences handed down to eight GCAP-affiliated party leaders—including Nassour Ibrahim Koursami, president of Les Patriotes—who were arrested on April 25 at the PAP/JS headquarters without a warrant, as they claim. Charges of illegal assembly, criminal association, insurrection, rebellion, and unlawful weapons possession lack credible evidence, according to the party, which accuses the prosecutor, territorial administration minister, and Supreme Court president of orchestrating a rushed trial to silence political opposition.
Les Patriotes is demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the convicted leaders and urges the international community to closely monitor the case. Concluding the press conference, Hisseine Abdoulaye issued a rallying cry for citizen mobilization to « end this political charade and restore democracy ». Quoting George Orwell, he emphasized, « Tyrants fear the truth because truth does not obey. »
