Chad's president pardons main rival and opposition leader in jail

Chad's presidency said in a statement ‌that President Mahamat Idriss Deby has pardoned his main rival and opposition leader Succes Masra, who has been ​in jail for more than a year ​for inciting violence and complicity to murder.

Masra, ⁠a former prime minister, was sentenced to ​20 years and fined 1 billion CFA francs ($1.77 ​million) last year in a trial that was criticized by human rights activists as politically motivated.

Masra will be released in ​the coming days, the statement said, after ​the presidency agreed to a request for a pardon submitted ‌by ⁠his attorneys.

Masra was internationally recognized as the most vocal figure in the opposition. He will be freed along with eight other political figures, the ​statement said.

"These ​nine individuals ⁠will be released as soon as the Ministry of Justice makes the ​necessary arrangements in the coming hours ​and ⁠days," the presidency said.

"They have been pardoned by the Head of State. However, the pardon does ⁠not ​waive the civil penalties, which ​remain enforceable."