On September 17, the Chadian government took a troubling step in its ongoing campaign against dissent by announcing a decree aimed at stripping blogger Makaila Nguebla and journalist Charfadine Galmaye Saleh of their nationality. This alarming move not only escalates the repression faced by critics of the regime but also symbolizes a dangerous precedent in the manipulation of citizenship for political ends, further threatening the rights of these individuals and the broader civic landscape in Chad.
Both Nguebla and Saleh have long been recognized for their vocal opposition to the Chadian government. Nguebla, a prominent blogger and human rights advocate, previously served as an adviser on human rights to the president. Saleh, meanwhile, is the editor of TchadOne, a widely respected online media outlet that has been a platform for critical voices in the country. Both men are currently living in exile, seeking safety from the government’s escalating threats. The attempt to strip them of their citizenship represents not only a violation of their fundamental rights but also fosters a pervasive climate of fear among journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens. It forces them to weigh their right to free speech against the very real risk of losing their citizenship, identity, and safety.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights clearly states that everyone has the right to a nationality, which should not be revoked arbitrarily or in a manner that leads to statelessness. This principle is enshrined in various international and regional human rights conventions to which Chad is a signatory. Yet, the Chadian government is brazenly flouting these legal norms. Citizenship is not merely a bureaucratic label; it is a vital legal status that confers a host of civil and political rights. Without citizenship, individuals become vulnerable to a range of human rights abuses, including arbitrary detention, interference with their private and family lives, and denial of access to their homeland.
This latest development in Chad comes amid a deteriorating human rights climate where opposition leaders are facing long prison sentences, civil society actors and journalists are increasingly silenced, and security forces are reportedly committing acts of violence with impunity. The president, meanwhile, continues to consolidate power, further undermining democratic principles. Just as the government moved to strip Nguebla and Saleh of their citizenship, the National Assembly voted to eliminate presidential term limits, raising the stakes for anyone daring to speak out against such actions.
The immediate gains that the government hopes to achieve by targeting these two critics are likely to come at a significant cost to the country’s legitimacy and stability. When those in power wield citizenship as a political tool, the rule of law begins to erode, jeopardizing the prospects for a more democratic and rights-respecting society in Chad. As the government continues down this dangerous path, the chilling effect on free expression and civic engagement will only deepen, leaving the future of democracy in Chad hanging in the balance.
