Chad's Military Government Allows Return of Exiled Opposition Leader Succes Masra

Return facilitated by Central Africa's regional bloc to ease political climate and advance transition to democratic rule in Chad.

Chad's military government, under interim leader Mahamat Idriss Deby, has agreed to allow the return of exiled opposition leader Succes Masra, president of The Transformers opposition party. Masra had fled Chad in October 2022 after his party and six others were suspended amid protests against Deby's decision to extend his time in power by two years.
The return of Masra and other opposition figures to Chad is facilitated by an agreement initiated by the Central Africa's regional bloc, which has appointed Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi as an envoy.
No date has been announced yet for Masra's return. The agreement aims to ease the political climate and support the transition to democratic rule in Chad.
Over 60 people were killed in the protests that led to Masra's exile, which the government condemned as 'an attempted coup'. Concerns exist that Masra could be arrested again upon his return, though a reassurance has been given that the agreement was signed in good faith between the two parties.
The agreement is considered a milestone in advancing peace and the transitional process in Chad, which has been in crisis since the death of former President Idriss Deby in April 2021 and the subsequent seizure of power by his son, Mahamat Idriss Deby.