Chad Opposition Leaders Arrested Ahead of May 2 Protest

Nine leaders of Chad's GCAP opposition movement have been arrested and detained by President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno's authorities ahead of a May 2 protest they had planned. The nine were arrested on Saturday and remain in detention at a police facility, confirmed by both GCAP spokesman Hissein Abdoulaye and a police source speaking anonymously.

GCAP had called for a 'march of protest and indignation' on May 2, but the government has banned the rally. This comes amid growing concerns about democratic space in Chad, following a constitutional amendment in October that established a seven-year presidential term renewable without limit - effectively paving the way for Deby to remain in power indefinitely.

The opposition party Les Transformateurs condemned the arrests, noting they disturbingly recall the arbitrary detention of their president Succes Masra since May 16, 2025. Masra was sentenced to 20 years in prison for 'incitement to hatred and violence,' in a trial that human rights watchdog HRW called 'politically motivated.'

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/04/26/nine-chadian-opposition-leaders-arrested-after-protest-call/