President of The Transformers party Succes Masra had long opposed the Deby dynasty, but in November he returned to Chad as a result of an agreement he had made with its military chiefs.
Masra openly urged followers to vote “yes” in the recent referendum on a new constitution, which saw 86% of participants vote “yes.” The result is now anticipated to lead to elections.
“Doctor Succes Masra is appointed prime minister, head of the transition government,” general secretary to the presidency Mahamat Ahmat Alabo announced on state TV.
Shortly after the October 20, 2022, protests against the military rule that had recently prolonged the 18-month transition period by two years, which was meant to finish in elections and the restoration of civilian government control, Masra fled into exile.
Authorities estimate that day’s death toll was close to fifty. According to the opposition and regional and global NGOs, the death toll ranges from 100 to 300.
Nearly all of the victims—mostly in the capital city of N’Djamena—were shot to death by the police and military.
Masra did not come out of exile until November 3, when he signed a reconciliation deal in Kinshasa on October 31 that secured him the freedom to pursue his political interests.
He expressed his desire to “continue dialogue… with a view to a peaceful political solution” to the government.
In addition to distancing themselves from Masra, a number of opposition parties have denounced the regime’s blanket amnesty for “all Chadians, civilians and military” connected to the October 2022 demonstration that has come to be known as Black Thursday.
