Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby has pardoned former Prime Minister and opposition leader Succès Masra, ending his 20-year prison sentence and paving the way for his release.
The pardon was announced in a presidential decree on Friday, which granted a full remission of prison sentences for those covered by the order.
Masra, leader of Chad’s main opposition party, had been serving a 20-year sentence following his conviction, which opposition supporters and rights groups criticised as politically motivated.
The former prime minister has been one of the most prominent critics of Déby’s government and a key figure in Chad’s opposition politics.
The presidency did not give reasons for the pardon, leaving uncertainty over whether Masra’s release could lead to renewed political dialogue between the government and opposition.
Africanews
