The political party Les Patriotes held a press conference on Wednesday, May 13 at its headquarters in the Bololo district of N’Djamena’s second arrondissement. Speaking on behalf of the party, spokesperson Hisseine Abdoulaye described the current situation as a “politico-security crisis spiraling out of control” and condemned the “unjust” sentencing of eight opposition leaders affiliated with the former Groupe de concertation des acteurs politiques (GCAP).

The security front: rising violence and instability

In a detailed assessment of the country’s security landscape, Les Patriotes highlighted the deteriorating conditions in multiple regions. The party pointed to the surge in Boko Haram attacks in the Lac Province, where recent operations in Barka Tolorom and Kaïga Kindjiria resulted in the deaths of 23 soldiers. Meanwhile, in the eastern and southern regions, intercommunal clashes have intensified, fueled by the proliferation of weapons, particularly in Wadi Fira. Reports indicate that tribal violence linked to arms trafficking from Sudan has claimed over 40 lives in the area.

Political repression and shrinking democratic space

Les Patriotes went beyond security concerns to denounce what it views as a systematic crackdown on political dissent. The party condemned the alleged assassination of opposition figure Yaya Dillo, the detention of prominent leader Succès Masra, and the Supreme Court’s decision to dissolve the GCAP. Additionally, the party accused authorities of restricting public freedoms and targeting independent media outlets through arbitrary measures.

The recent eight-year prison sentences handed down to eight opposition party presidents, including Nassour Ibrahim Koursami of Les Patriotes, were described as “groundless and politically motivated.” The accused were arrested on April 25 at the headquarters of the PAP/JS without a warrant, according to the party, and charged with offenses such as unlawful assembly, criminal association, insurgency, rebellion, and illegal possession of firearms—charges the party claims lack any tangible evidence.

Les Patriotes alleged that the prosecutor, the Minister of Territorial Administration, and the President of the Supreme Court collaborated to push through a rushed judicial process aimed at silencing political opposition. The party has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the convicted leaders and called on the international community to closely monitor the case.

A call for unity and democratic renewal

Concluding the press conference, Hisseine Abdoulaye issued an urgent appeal for citizen mobilization to “end this political charade and restore democracy.” Quoting George Orwell, he emphasized that “tyrants fear the truth because it cannot be controlled.”