Chad’s ex-PM Succes Masra, who contested recent election results, was abducted by armed forces; government remains silent.

Chad’s former prime minister and opposition party leader was reportedly abducted from his residence on Friday, according to a statement from his political party.

“Succes Masra was taken by military means from our residence today Friday, May 16, at 5:56 a.m. (0456 GMT),” the party stated in a Facebook post.

A separate Facebook post from Ndolembai Sade Njesada, vice president of the Transformers opposition party led by Masra, included video footage showing what appeared to be uniformed and armed personnel escorting Masra out of a residential property. This location also serves as the headquarters of the Transformers party.

The Chadian government has not yet issued an official response regarding the incident.

President Mahamat Idriss Deby had appointed Succes Masra as prime minister in January 2024. Masra went on to challenge Deby in the presidential election held in May 2024. Following the disputed outcome of the vote—which declared Deby the winner—Masra resigned from his position as prime minister.

Mahamat Idriss Deby assumed power in 2021 after the death of his father, President Idriss Deby Itno, who died in combat. After taking charge, the younger Deby led the Military Transitional Council, promising to hold democratic elections following an 18-month transition period and to hand power over to a civilian government.

However, in October 2022, the National Dialogue Forum extended the transition period by two more years, paving the way for Deby to run in the 2024 presidential election. He ultimately won the election with 61% of the vote.

Despite serving as Deby’s prime minister, Succes Masra contested the election against him. Masra secured 18.5% of the vote and later disputed the election results.