NDJAMENA – On September 4, 2025, during a rally of opposition leaders in Chad, Albert Pahimi Padacké voiced strong opposition to a technical revision project of the Constitution. At the heart of the dispute is a potential modification of article 77, which stipulates that “the presidential function is incompatible with other partisan and union activities.”

The opposition in Chad is firmly against the proposed changes to the Constitution, particularly article 77, which mandates that “the presidential function is incompatible with other partisan and union activities.”

The revision project was presented on September 2 by Ali Kolotou Tchaimi, the president of the national assembly.

President of the Republic, Mahamat Idriss Déby, was appointed president of the Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS) in January, a move that has drawn criticism and accusations of unconstitutionality.

On September 4, in the presence of numerous presidents and secretaries general from opposition political parties, Albert Pahimi Padacké, leader of the opposition and president of the National Rally of Chadian Democrats (RNDT-Le Réveil), condemned what he described as unhealthy methods and a serious violation of the Constitution.

“Deleting by political calculation the constitutional impartiality of the Head of State is to lower the presidential function.”

Concerns Over Presidential Impartiality

Padacké expressed concerns that altering the constitutional impartiality of the Head of State for political gain would jeopardize social cohesion. “Deleting by political calculation the constitutional impartiality of the Head of State is to lower the presidential function is to take risks for social cohesion,” he stated during the rally, which was attended by Olivier Monodji.

He added, “Those who initiate the modification of the constitution to legalize his violation by selfishness bear a heavy responsibility before history and before God.”

Padacké urged a patriotic response to ensure that the Republic remains a common ground for all citizens. He addressed the President of the Republic directly, saying: “If your advisers do not tell you, hear it from the opposition: lift the incompatibility of the presidential function serves you Mr. president, and weakens the presidential function in our country.”