Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno has stripped two vocal anti-government activists of their Chadian nationality, accusing them of colluding with foreign powers.
Deby issued a decree on Wednesday, accusing the two France-based Chadians of "intelligence with foreign powers" and "activities incompatible" with the status of a Chadian citizen.
Activist Charfardine Galmaye Saleh, who promotes the popular Tchad One blog, regularly condemns the country's rule under Deby.
Makaila N'Guebla is known as having been an opponent of Deby's father, Idriss Deby, who ruled Chad for more than 30 years until his death in 2021.
Transition to democracy
N'Guebla became a human rights advisor to the presidency under the younger Deby during a transitional period, before moving to France and stepping up his criticism of the Chadian government.
The Tchad One blog late Wednesday dismissed the stripping of the men's nationality as "ridiculous and absurd".
Deby was proclaimed transitional president by army generals after his father was killed in a gun battle with rebels.
He promised an 18-month transition to democracy but extended it by two years.
After a new constitution was approved in a referendum in December 2023, Deby was elected president in May 2024 in voting that some international observers said was not credible.
