Chad ex-PM Saleh Kebzabo jailed for 20 years

VOA Africa

Chad’s former prime minister and opposition leader, Saleh Kebzabo, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison on charges of undermining state security, a court in N’Djamena ruled on 9 August.

Kebzabo, who served as prime minister from 2022 to 2023 before resigning and joining the opposition, was convicted alongside several allies after a closed-door trial. The court found him guilty of conspiring against the state and inciting unrest.

His lawyers denounced the proceedings as politically motivated, saying he was targeted for criticising the transitional military government led by President Mahamat Idriss Déby.

Kebzabo was arrested earlier this year following protests against delays in the country’s promised return to civilian rule. Security forces cracked down on demonstrations, leaving dozens dead and prompting condemnation from human rights groups.

The government has not yet commented publicly on the verdict, but officials have previously accused Kebzabo of trying to destabilise the country.

Chad has been under military rule since April 2021, when Idriss Déby was killed in battle and his son took power. Elections are scheduled for later this year, though opposition groups say the political climate remains repressive.

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