Chad returning to normal after attempted government overthrow
February 7, 2008
Dale Davis reported that the situation in Chad’s capital, N’Djamena, seems to be under control and that things are returning to normal there. Josh Hedges and Robert Andrew Richey, who had traveled to Chad to buy a house in preparation for the Hedge family’s translation work there, will be able to safely return to the U.S. by way of Cameroon.
Chad’s president is said to be in total control of the situation, and the earlier tensions have been diffused.
February 5, 2008
Mark Seymour and Dale Davis, based in the Sarh/Balimba area, report that all missionaries are safe and that things are very calm and normal where they are. Our two missionaries in Koumra, Susan Hossack and Joy Hart, are fine, and ministry is going on as normal.
The United Nations has given France the mandate to intervene if the rebels continue to attack the capital. This, along with pressure from Libya and other countries, may be causing the rebels to rethink their mission. Africa Coordinator Steve Gault reports that this adds a certain amount of stability and certainty to the existing government.
February 4, 2008
Baptist Mid-Missions’ missionaries in Chad, Africa, remain safe after rebels attempted to overtake the capital, N’Djamena, on Sunday, February 3. Sources believe the rebels had been in Sudan, on Chad’s eastern border, and swept cross-country into the capital.
The atmosphere in N’Djamena is now quiet after rebels voluntarily withdrew to give civilians time to leave. Their plan is to reengage fighting on Tuesday, February 5, to take over the presidential palace. The French government has evacuated those expatriates who wished to leave.
All BMM missionaries are located in the southern cities of Koumra and Sarh, approximately 300 miles from the capital. They have reported that they are fine and life is going on as normal. We do not plan on evacuating at this time but are monitoring the situation. Emergency plans are in place, organized by BMM’s Africa Coordinator, Steve Gault, who is based in neighboring Cameroon.
Baptist Mid-Missions will post information updates daily for the next several days.