Democracy and Equality: A Hopeful Path for My Home in N'Djamena, Chad

Abubakar Usman Abdu

Living in N’Djamena, I’ve seen how decades of political instability, corruption, and religious tensions have shaped my community. Growing up here, you learn early how favoritism and division can tear at the fabric of everyday life. But I believe that equality and democracy—the idea that we’re all entitled to the same rights and opportunities—could be the very lifeline Chad needs to rebuild itself on a foundation of fairness and unity. 

 Imagine a society where leaders hold office not because of who they know, but because the people have put their trust in them. The idea of true representation, where everyone from the heart of N’Djamena to the farthest reaches of the desert has a voice, is powerful. Equality and democracy would mean pushing for accountable governance that actually answers to its citizens. I know that when leaders are accountable to us and serve all Chadians, our conflicts might just shift from the streets back into the hands of the people and our government. 

 Corruption is another issue that’s cut deep into our country. Every Chadian knows that the money meant for us, for building hospitals, schools, and clean water systems, often lines the pockets of a few. It’s hard to feel hopeful when the benefits of our country’s wealth feel so far out of reach. Equality and democracy, however, champions a system where resources are used for the common good. Imagine foreign partnerships that support local industries, building skills in agriculture, tech, and small business in a way that lifts up the whole community rather than enriching a handful. This would give people like me and my neighbors a chance to thrive on our own terms, with resources that belong to us and are reinvested back into our future. 

 Religious intolerance has also left deep scars here, as some have used it to pit us against each other. But I believe that equality and democracy can bring us together. These ideas would mean respecting all beliefs, celebrating each person’s way of life, and finding strength in our differences. I picture a future where we build bridges through shared festivals, dialogue programs, and education that teaches our children about unity. Seeing these values take root in our society would mean that one day, being Muslim or Christian would matter less than simply being Chadian.

 For me, equality and democracy are more than just foreign ideas—it’s a vision for Chad where fairness, respect, and opportunity belong to us all. It’s a hope that we, as Chadians, can create a home where our differences strengthen rather than divide us, where each person is seen and heard. In this vision, we can rebuild N’Djamena as a place where everyone can look to the future with pride, knowing that it belongs to us all.Abubakar Usman Abdu