Recent remarks by Chad’s leader, who attributes state mismanagement to divine will and urges citizens to fear Allah, ring hollow against the backdrop of relentless hardship endured by ordinary people. In Chad, faith has long been a cornerstone of resilience for its people, but when spirituality is weaponized to obscure systemic governance failures—economic stagnation, institutional decay, and policy blunders—it demands scrutiny from every conscientious citizen.

The bedrock of ethical governance lies in transparency and accountability. Yet, the 2024 presidential election shattered public trust. Disputed official results, independent observer reports, and the violent suppression of legitimate protests exposed a process engineered to entrench power rather than reflect the people’s will. Lives were lost celebrating a stolen victory.

For divine justice to hold meaning, it must align with human justice. The upcoming legislative and local elections will serve as a litmus test. Without a complete overhaul of the electoral body—including transparent, polling-station-level result disclosures—the promise of democracy remains a hollow script.

Chadians now demand more than moral exhortations or empty promises. They seek functional institutions, reliable public services, and governance that serves the many, not the few. The true measure of leadership lies in tangible improvements to daily life, not in rhetorical appeals to the divine.

Nepotism tramples republican ideals

Divine justice abhors favoritism, yet Chad’s government thrives on it. Key state positions—financial regulators, security forces, and public enterprises—are doled out based on loyalty to the ruling elite, not merit. Technical expertise is sidelined in favor of regional, familial, or clan-based appointments. Diploma-holding youth remain unemployed, while critical roles managing oil and customs revenues are treated as personal spoils for the president’s inner circle. This systemic injustice fuels resentment and threatens national stability.

Collapsing infrastructure: A man-made crisis

Invoking divine will to explain daily deprivations is a cynical tactic. Chad’s infrastructure collapse is not an act of God—it is the result of managerial incompetence.

Energy crisis: In N’Djamena, electricity is a luxury. A recent fire at a major power plant has plunged the capital into deeper darkness, with hospitals and businesses crippled by rolling blackouts.

Water scarcity: Despite Chad’s abundant natural water reserves, cities like Abéché, Sarh, and Moundou suffer chronic shortages. Households endure daily struggles for potable water—not because of divine decree, but due to mismanagement.

Revenues from oil and gold are siphoned off by a privileged few, while critical infrastructure investments are neglected. Can divine justice truly condone the plundering of a nation’s wealth in its name?

The demands of the people have evolved beyond moral appeals. They crave credible institutions, responsive services, and governance that prioritizes collective prosperity over elite enrichment. The sincerity of leadership will be measured not by sermons, but by measurable change in the lives of ordinary Chadians.