Addicks supporters have staged a series of protests aimed at the Belgian businessman in recent months, prompting a statement claiming some fans "want the club to fail".
"Whether you like protests or not, the fans feel they need to be heard," Powell told BBC Radio London.
"They want answers and, quite clearly, they are not getting them."
Some Charlton fans have formed a campaigning group called CARD (Coalition Against Roland Duchatelet) which is calling for the the Belgian to sell the club.
Several protests took place at their last home match against Middlesbrough including a mock funeral, beach balls being thrown onto the pitch to halt the game and a walk-out by supporters in the second half.
Last month Duchatelet, who has a network of clubs around Europe, told the South London Press he has "empathy" for the fans, but was not prepared to sell.
Powell had three stints as a player at The Valley and was manager when Duchatelet took over the club in January 2014 - only to be dismissed in March that year.
"They made the statement last week which I don't think any supporter could understand," Powell, 46, added.
"It quite clearly shows there is no synergy between the owners, the higher management and the fans.
"I don't know what will happen. I'm sure many thousands of Charlton fans would like that question to be answered.
"The only person who can answer that question in Roland Duchatelet - but he hasn't. I think it is right for him to say 'This is my plan for your football club.'"

For the last eight months the government has been consulting on how best to ease congestion: its solution is a new piece of road, which drivers will pay to use.
The trunk road links the country's largest container port in Felixstowe, with the M1 and M6 motorways, from where goods are whisked to the rest of the country.
That's after spending many an hour in gridlock on the 130 mile length of the A14.
The stretch through Cambridgeshire between Cambridge and Huntingdon is particularly busy and that's where the changes will happen.
South Cambridgeshire MP, Andrew Lansley, welcomed the news: "We all know we need the A14 to be rebuilt.
In tough times, if it's going to happen it can't just be paid for by the government - people who are using the road will have to dig into their pockets.
"The A14 has stopped Cambridge from growing and it's an impediment day by day to people going about their business," he added.
The plan to upgrade this vital artery through the region will cost up to Â£1.5 billion.
More then 100,000 vehicles a day travel through Cambridgeshire, a quarter of them heavy good vehicles.
Delays frustrate motorists and cost businesses a fortune.
John Bridge from Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce gave the plan a cautious thumbs up.
He said: "The business community is somewhat concerned about tolling but I think we believe it's a necessary evil if it is the only way we can get the road upgraded."
While the local MP for Huntingdon, Jonathan Djanogly (Con) had warmer words: "The east of England needs this road to develop the area and without it, particularly as the economy picks up, it's going to be an increasing problem, so it's important we get on with it."
For many years there's been talk about improving this road but every time, drivers hopes have been dashed.
The last scheme, backed by Labour, was dropped by the coalition because it was too expensive.
A toll road is obviously attractive to the government as it doesn't have to pay for the upgrade.
Private finance will stump up the money and and motorists will pay.
"HGV's can take the toll road and everyone else can use the local access roads," says Andrew Lansley.
"The government hasn't got a limitless supply of money. We need to think of innovative and exciting solutions, which this is."
The eastern region suffers from poor transport links, particularly east to west. No doubt this will go some way to help.
The government says it wants construction to start in six years time.
Isn't that after the next general election?
Former Charlton boss Chris Powell says fans deserve to know what owner Roland Duchatelet has planned for the club.
[NEXT_CONCEPT]
The government has announced that our most congested road, the A14, will be tolled.