Chad - March 2023

Following the mass trial of people alleged to have participated in a wave of protests in October 2022, 262 were sentenced to prison in December 2022. In a similar process that concluded on 21 March, more than 400 alleged rebel fighters were convicted of a range of charges related to the April 2021 killing of former President Idriss Déby in an engagement between the Chadian military and the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT). In late March, President Mahamat Déby made two announcements of pardons in these cases. On 26 March, 380 of the alleged rebel fighters were pardoned. Then on 28 March, 259 of the alleged protestors were pardoned. Together the mass trials and mass pardons are not in line with principles of the rule of law, however the pardons contribute to national reconciliation and may help to advance Chad along its path to return to peaceful civilian rule.

Sources: News24, Radio France Internationale, France24