Chad’s military-led government has extended amnesty to security forces involved in the deaths of at least 50 opposition demonstrators during protests against the extension of interim President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno’s rule in 2022.
The crackdown by authorities, labeled “Black Thursday,” resulted in the deaths of at least 50 individuals, although human rights organizations claim the toll exceeds 300. Subsequently, over 600 people were detained, including 83 minors, and faced mass trials, leading to convictions.
This amnesty, part of a reconciliation agreement inked with opposition leader Succès Masra, aims to foster national unity. However, some within the opposition have criticized the move, denouncing it as an attempt to evade accountability for the violence.
Yaya Dillo, president of the Socialist Without Borders Party, has condemned the amnesty, asserting that it serves as a means for the ruling junta to cloak their actions for the sake of peace and reconciliation. He encourages victims of the incident to seek justice through international legal channels.
Amnesty International reports a total of 943 arrests and 265 convictions. Charges against the convicted individuals include “unauthorized assembly, property destruction, and arson.” In April, 259 were pardoned and released by the president.
President Deby assumed leadership following his father’s death in 2021, promising to transition power back to civilians after an 18-month period. However, he extended this transitional phase by an additional two years, leading to renewed protests.
Amid ongoing promises from the government to schedule free elections in December and facilitate a return to civilian governance, concerns persist about the evasion of accountability for the violent crackdown during the protests.
