The Minister of Public Security of Chad, Ali Ahmat Aghabache, has sparked significant controversy after labeling magistrates as "more corrupt" than police officers. These statements, made during a radio broadcast on RFI with a rape suspect, prompted an immediate reaction from the judicial community.

During a general assembly held on Tuesday, May 26, magistrates decided to file a complaint against the minister for defamation and infringement on the independence of justice. According to Gilles Foussard, president of the Autonomous Union of Magistrates of Chad (SAMAT), these remarks constitute "public discredit offenses on judicial and jurisdictional acts." Magistrates believe that their competencies are being called into question by such statements.

In June 2021, the assassination of the public prosecutor of Oum-Hadjer triggered outrage among magistrates in response to the growing insecurity in the country. Demands for better protection of judges have intensified since then.

In response to concerns raised by SAMAT and other judicial unions, the government established an inter-ministerial committee tasked with examining security conditions within judicial institutions. However, this initiative appears insufficient in the eyes of magistrates who continue to live in a climate of insecurity.

According to a source close to the case, tensions between the Ministry of Public Security and the judicial community reflect a broader issue of political interference in the Chadian judicial system. Magistrates regularly denounce pressures exerted on their work, which undermines their independence.

Recent events highlight a deeper crisis within the judicial system in Chad. With repeated assaults against judges and a general climate of insecurity, magistrates are calling for constructive dialogue with the government to ensure their safety and that of citizens.

Ali Ahmat Aghabache's remarks only add to the growing frustration among Chadian magistrates. As justice struggles for its independence, it becomes crucial for authorities to listen to the legitimate demands of the judicial community to prevent further deterioration of the security situation in the country.