During a well-attended conference this past Friday, former Prime Minister and current Senator Albert Pahimi Padacké addressed the critical role of provincial councils. While acknowledging the significant potential of local governance, the head of RNDT-Le Réveil sharply criticized the inflexibility of a central state reluctant to relinquish control.

The Idriss Déby Itno Amphitheater at the École Nationale d’Administration (ENA) was filled to capacity with executives, students, and political figures. They gathered to hear Albert Pahimi Padacké, a prominent personality in Chadian politics and president of the RNDT-Le Réveil party, lead a compelling discussion. The chosen topic, highly relevant, delved into the core of the nation’s institutional restructuring: «De la décentralisation dans la dynamique du développement : cas des conseils provinciaux» (Decentralization in the Dynamics of Development: The Case of Provincial Councils).

For over two hours, the former Prime Minister presented his analysis of the situation, blending technical rigor with political candor. Although Chad has officially embarked on a path towards regionalization and decentralization, the reality on the ground, he argued, falls far short of stated ambitions.

The theoretical advantages of grassroots development

From the outset, the speaker emphasized that decentralization offers numerous benefits. It remains the quintessential tool for bringing administration closer to citizens, fostering local initiatives, and ensuring a more equitable distribution of national wealth. Through the lens of provincial councils, Albert Pahimi Padacké illustrated how autonomous management could enable more pertinent and rapid responses to social urgencies, whether in education, health, or basic infrastructure.

In his view, Chad’s harmonious development cannot materialize if every decision, even minor ones, continues to be adjudicated from the plush offices of ministries in the capital.

The obstacle of