COSADT Urges Chad to Rejoin ICC, Pardon Masra After 20-Year Sentence

1 articles · Updated · beninwebtv.com · Aug 10

COSADT pressed Chad’s authorities to reverse the country’s ICC withdrawal, grant a presidential pardon to former Prime Minister Succès Masra and free jailed opposition figures after a weekend meeting in N’Djamena.
The coalition says the demands reflect a worsening political climate marked by arbitrary arrests, impunity and months-long detentions without judges, arguing the ICC remains its only recourse.
Masra, leader of Les Transformateurs, was sentenced on Aug. 9, 2025 to 20 years in prison in the Mandakao case, while members of the Political Actors Consultation Group received eight-year terms for conspiracy and public-order offenses.
COSADT says those leaders were punished for political activity and could instead help ease tensions if released, with a presidential pardon now seen as the most realistic path.
Chad’s government has not responded publicly to the requests, and the timetable and details of its announced ICC withdrawal remain unclear.