Since his return on November 3, a year after fleeing Chad, Success Masra has changed his stance. The president of the Transformateurs party now advocates for reconciliation.
"We will work to heal wounds, unite, reconcile with justice, equality, and diversity, extending a hand to every Chadian," tweeted Success Masra. This statement follows other appeals that the opposition leader has made on social media and directly to his fellow citizens during his meetings.
Success Masra is one of the main opponents to the military regime in Chad. Hundreds of his supporters were killed or imprisoned a year ago in a bloody crackdown. His return from exile on November 3, 2023, was made possible by an agreement reached with the ruling power. This "pact" includes a "general amnesty" for those responsible for the murders of protesters, mostly young, on October 20, 2022.
The number of victims varies from around fifty, according to the government, to 300 according to the opposition, national and international NGOs, and a report from experts mandated by the UN.
"Our brother Mahamat Déby can count on us as an ally of the people. We are ready to continue working with the authorities to find a comprehensive solution," Masra declared.
General Déby was proclaimed by the army on April 20, 2021, as the transitional president following the death of his father, Idriss Déby Itno, killed by rebels while heading to the front after ruling Chad with an iron fist for thirty years.
The general immediately promised to return power to civilians through elections after an 18-month transition, which was later extended by an additional two years and 18 months.
Masra's calls have angered his still-exiled comrades. They denounce a "deceptive" agreement and criticize the leader of the Transformateurs party for aligning with the authorities in anticipation of the promised 2024 elections.
The opposition sees the amnesty as a means to "shield criminals from prosecution... who mass-murdered, tortured, kidnapped, and made young people disappear on October 20, 2022," summarized Max Kemkoye, president of the Union des démocrates pour le développement et le progrès (UDP), for AFP.
The opposition also rejects the referendum scheduled for December 17, 2023, to give Chad a new constitution replacing the 2018 one. Calls for a boycott are increasing from abroad.
