The recent remarks by the head of state, attributing the nation’s woes to divine will and invoking divine fear to control the population, ring hollow against the backdrop of citizens’ daily struggles. In the Tchad, faith and spirituality serve as pillars of resilience for its people amid a harsh political climate. Yet when these sacred values are weaponized to obscure systemic failures in governance, economics, and institutions, it becomes incumbent upon any discerning citizen to remind leaders that governance is not a divine mandate.

Sincerity and justice are sacred principles that manifest in politics through an unwavering commitment to the people’s will. The 2024 presidential election, however, shattered public trust. Legitimate grievances, disputed official figures, and independent observer reports exposed a rigged process designed to entrench power. The aftermath saw lives lost in protests over what many view as a stolen victory.

For religious rhetoric to hold weight, it must be backed by absolute transparency in electoral processes. Future legislative and local elections will serve as a critical test. Without a complete overhaul of the electoral body and the publication of results polling station by polling station, the promise of democratic transition remains a mere fiction.

The 2024 election charade has broken trust irreparably. The people demand a revamped electoral register and a reconstituted electoral commission for the upcoming legislative polls—if the head of state truly values truth.

State nepotism versus republican fairness

Divine justice condemns favoritism, theft, and inequity. Yet the current regime thrives on an alarming concentration of appointments in state institutions, financial regulators, and security forces, all based on nepotism. Technical expertise is routinely sacrificed at the altar of regional, clan, or family affiliations. Republican merit is trampled underfoot. Young graduates without influential connections face unemployment, while key administrative roles—where oil and customs revenues are managed—are handed out as patronage to the president’s inner circle. This tangible injustice fuels frustration and undermines national stability.

Infrastructure collapse: A managerial shipwreck

To frame everyday hardships as divine tests is a cynical political maneuver. The Tchad’s collapse of basic services is not fate’s doing but the result of managerial incompetence.

Energy woes in N’Djamena have reached crisis levels. The recent fire at the main power plant has plunged hospitals and businesses into darkness, turning electricity into a luxury. Access to water in cities like Abéché, Sarh, and Moundou remains a daily battle, despite the country’s abundant natural water reserves. The issue lies not in divine provision but in incompetent leadership.

Revenue from oil and gold is siphoned off to enrich a privileged few, leaving critical infrastructure investments neglected. Can divine justice truly endorse such plundering of national wealth?

The aspirations of the Tchad people extend beyond hollow moralizing or empty promises. They demand credible institutions, functional public services, and inclusive governance. Only through tangible, measurable improvements in daily life can the sincerity of leaders be judged.