As Chad prepares to mark its 66th Independence Day on 11 August 2026, Pahimi Padacké Albert, opposition leader and President of the Rassemblement national des démocrates tchadiens (RNDT-Le Réveil), has urged citizens to embrace unity, calm, and reconciliation.
In a solemn address to the nation, the former Prime Minister framed his message with humility, seriousness, and a sense of responsibility, acknowledging the deep-seated frustrations and simmering political tensions shaping this year’s celebrations.
« This year, we celebrate our hard-won freedom amid a quiet yet heavy political tension, and frustrations rooted in a pervasive sense of exclusion », he stated, highlighting how marginalization has cast a shadow over the occasion.
Calling for renewed dialogue and openness, Pahimi Padacké Albert reiterated his plea for national cohesion. « Today, I once again—responsibly—call for unity, calm, and reconciliation. We must open our hearts and minds to one another », he emphasized.
His message also included a direct appeal to President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, urging decisive actions to strengthen national unity. « As we stand on the brink of this celebration, I solemnly call on all Chadians—first and foremost, the President of the Republic, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno—to take bold steps that dismantle exclusion and unite our people as one family. Let the constitutional powers at the Head of State’s disposal be used to restore political actors to their rightful place—free from detention. A genuine political opening, built on honest, fraternal, and patriotic discussions, must anchor this spirit of calm, respecting the nation’s rich political, cultural, and religious diversity », he concluded.
