Chadian opposition leader and former Prime Minister Succès Masra has ended his week-long hunger strike while in detention, following urgent medical advice amid deteriorating health. Masra, who heads the Les Transformateurs party, began the hunger strike on June 19, 2025, to protest what he described as his “unjust and illegal” detention. Arrested on May 16 without a warrant, Masra has been held under conditions his legal team says violate multiple national and international legal standards, including denial of due process, unlawful extension of police custody, and unauthorized searches of his residence.
Doctors raised the alarm over his fragile state, noting his complete refusal of food, water, and medication during the hunger strike. The opposition leader ultimately accepted to end the fast and resume treatment after a medical emergency evaluation warned of potential life-threatening consequences. Masra’s lawyers have condemned the June 19 court ruling that dismissed his legal appeals, calling it a blatant denial of justice. They accuse judicial authorities of document falsification and manipulating legal procedures to prolong his detention. Public support for Masra remains strong across Chad. Demonstrations led by women’s groups and family members—including his mother—have emerged in several cities demanding his release.
International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have expressed concern over the case and called for adherence to the rule of law and respect for Masra’s legal and human rights. Masra’s legal team has urged continued peaceful mobilization and appealed to regional and international bodies to intervene in what they call a politically motivated crackdown against dissent.
