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Chadian President’s August 10, 2025 Speech: A Call for Unity Amid Silence on Justice
By: Charilogone Editorial TeamN'Djamena, August 10, 2025 — On the occasion of Chad’s 65th Independence Day, President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno delivered a solemn address from the Toumaï Palace, praising the resilience of the Chadian people in the face of security, economic, and social challenges. He called for national unity, strict public governance, and social justice, while emphasizing the need to build a prosperous, respected, and morally sound Chad rooted in republican institutions and values of peace.
Yet behind this call for cohesion, a deafening silence struck observers: no mention was made of the judicial crises shaking the country. The case of Dr. Succès Masra, leader of the Les Transformateurs party, sentenced to 20 years in prison and fined one billion CFA francs, remains emblematic. Known for his democratic commitment and non-violent stance, Masra had signed the Toumaï Agreement in Paris and the Kinshasa Accord under the leadership of Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi. His conviction, handed down just days before the presidential speech, reignited criticism of a judiciary seen as subservient to the regime.
Added to this is the controversial sentencing of Youssouf Boy, former chief of staff to the president, to seven years in prison for corruption. His lawyers denounce a politically motivated trial riddled with procedural irregularities.
Another sensitive case is the prolonged detention of Central African General Abdoulaye Miskine, imprisoned since 2019 without trial. Despite declining health and repeated calls for a fair hearing, authorities remain silent. His continued detention without judgment is a blatant violation of fundamental rights.
Finally, the tragic death of Fulbert Mouanodji, a former senior official found burned in Abéché on August 2, 2025, continues to stir emotion. While the local prosecutor quickly ruled it a suicide, his family and several NGOs denounce a botched investigation and demand the truth. Fulbert had warned relatives of threats against him shortly before his death. The lack of an autopsy and the haste to close the case only deepen suspicions of a political assassination.
Charilogone’s editorial team had previously warned of the judiciary’s drift and the risks of a return to authoritarianism. By failing to address these concerns, the president’s speech appears to ignore calls for deep judicial reform and genuine national reconciliation.
It is never too late to correct course. If the president truly wishes to embody peace and reconciliation, he must reform Chad’s judiciary, uphold the rule of law, and reassure citizens about the transparency and independence of institutions. The Chadian people, in search of truth, dignity, and democracy, expect concrete action.
As Charilogone noted in its analysis of the 65th anniversary: “Peace cannot be decreed; it is built through courageous acts.”
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