On Friday, a Chadian court sentenced eight leaders of the opposition coalition Political Actors Consultation Group (GCAP) to eight years in prison for insurrection, rebellion, and disturbing public order, the Associated Press reported. The High Court of N’Djamena also ordered each of the convicted men to pay 500,000 CFA francs, roughly $897.
The GCAP group had been dissolved by the Supreme Court in April, just weeks before the verdict, after it had publicly criticized President Mahamat Idriss Deby and urged citizens to boycott the 2024 presidential election. Deby, who succeeded his late father, won the vote and has since presided over an environment in which several opposition figures have faced jail time.
“We are not only surprised but disappointed by this court decision, which was based on non-existent offenses,” defense lawyer Adoum Moussa said after the ruling. The prosecutor had asked for 10-year sentences; the judge handed down eight years each.
The sentencing is the latest in a series of prison terms handed to Chadian opposition leaders. In October 2025, former prime minister Succes Masra was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Other opposition members have also been jailed since the last election.