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Statement of support for the people of Chad

25 octobre 2023

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We, AfricTivistes, are deeply concerned by the tension that has gripped Chad over the past several days.

On 8 February, secondary-school student Zara Mahamat Brahim, “Zouhoura” — the daughter of an opponent of Chadian President Idriss Déby Itno — was kidnapped in the capital, N’Djamena, by six young men, including the son of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

They held her captive, raped her and filmed their crimes. The rapists then posted the video on social media.

This gang rape sparked outrage and anger among the population and the diaspora.

Hundreds of people took to the streets to protest and demand justice in N’Djamena and several other cities across the country.

Several demonstrators were arrested and others were killed. Among those killed were Hassan Ousmane Abbachou, who was shot on 15 February, and Yacoub Adam Yacoub, “Tangui”, who was killed outside his shop on 18 February.

We, AfricTivistes, believe that rape — an extremely grave crime — violates women’s rights and human rights more broadly.

We, AfricTivistes, offer our unwavering support to Zara Mahamat Brahim and condemn in the strongest possible terms the gang rape she suffered.

We, AfricTivistes, consider the arrests and deaths of demonstrators demanding justice unacceptable.

The right to demonstrate is a universal right guaranteed by the Constitution and by international instruments signed and ratified by the Chadian authorities.

We, AfricTivistes, therefore support the Chadian activists who:

  • call on the Chadian authorities to end the repression of demonstrators immediately;
  • demand an independent investigation to deliver justice for Zouhoura;
  • denounce the arbitrary arrests and unlawful detention of demonstrators who were simply exercising their right to protest;
  • call for the immediate release of everyone detained;
  • remind the Chadian authorities of Article 27 of the Chadian Constitution, Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantee citizens the right to demonstrate and the right to seek information without fear of reprisal.

We remain mobilised alongside the people of Chad and reaffirm our commitment to a democratic Africa.

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