Chad’s former premier, opposition leader abducted from home, his party says

By Nur Asena Erturk

Chad’s former prime minister and leader of the opposition party was abducted from his home on Friday, according to his party.

“Succes Masra was taken by military means from our residence today Friday, May 16, at 5.56 am (0456GMT),” the party Les Transformateurs (The Transformers) announced on Facebook.

Masra’s house is also the party headquarters.

He was taken to an unknown place, Masra’s entourage told the French broadcaster RFI.

Chad's President Mahamat Idriss Deby appointed Succes Masra as the prime minister in January 2024. Masra rivaled Deby in the presidential election in May 2024 and resigned following the disputed election results, according to which Deby was elected the president.

Mahamat Idriss Deby seized power in 2021 after the death of his father President Idriss Deby Itno, on the battlefield.

The president’s death triggered a transition period, and his son assumed the leadership of the Military Transitional Council.

In the ensuing months, Mahamat Deby promised that elections would be held after an 18-month transition and that power would be handed over to civilians. But in October 2022, the National Dialogue Forum extended the transition period by another two years, allowing him to run for president in the 2024 elections.

Mahamat Deby appointed Succes Masra as the prime minister to soothe the opposition in the meantime, before his reelection with 61% of the vote in the May 6 election.

A strong Deby opponent, Masra got 18.5% of the votes and contested the results.