As Chad marks the 65th anniversary of its independence on August 11, 2025, opposition leader Senator Pahimi Padacké Albert has urged the nation to embrace unity and inclusive governance to overcome persistent challenges.
“August 11 is a historic day, the day Chad gained its independence. This date reminds us both of our national pride and our responsibilities for the present and the future, which now rest in our hands,” Pahimi Padacké said in a poignant speech.
Honouring the memory of those who sacrificed their lives for Chad’s freedom, he acknowledged the country’s resilience despite decades of violent and latent conflicts. “This is an opportunity to pay tribute to the memory of those who gave their lives for our freedom. Despite the magnitude of the challenges, progress has been made,” he stressed.
Yet, the opposition leader did not shy away from highlighting the significant obstacles hampering Chad’s development. “After 65 years of state sovereignty, the people’s sovereignty remains undermined by the poor quality of elections,” he lamented.
Pahimi Padacké pointed to ethnic divisions, poverty, intercommunal conflicts, injustices, and deep-rooted inequalities as ongoing factors weakening the nation’s social fabric. He argued that the Chadian people still seek genuine independence — no longer from colonial powers but from ineffective governance within their own country.
With this milestone anniversary, he called for a decisive turning point. “May this August 11, 2025, be the starting point for better governance, which includes all of Chad’s children for the good of our people,” he insisted, advocating for a new pact that embraces Chad’s diversity and promotes unity across the nation.
The call comes as Chad stands at a crossroads, reflecting on its past achievements while confronting the urgent need for political reform and social cohesion to secure a stable future.
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