Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
N’ Djamena (Agenzia Fides) - “I thank the Holy Father for his message of support and solidarity that he has offered to the people of Chad in these moments of difficulty,” the Apostolic Nuncio en Chad, Bishop Pierre Nguyen Van Tot, told Agenzia Fides.
In the General Audience on February 6, Pope Benedict XVI made an appeal to those fighting in Chad, calling for ceasefire: “In these days, I feel especially close to the dear people of Chad who suffer from painful internal conflict, that has claimed numerous victims and has caused the flight of thousands of civilians from the capital. I also count on your prayer and support for these our brothers and sisters who suffer, asking that they be spared from further violence and that they be guaranteed the humanitarian aid they need. I also direct an urgent appeal that weapons be put down and that a path of dialogue and reconciliation may begin.”
“We have sent the Pope’s message to the Bishops of Chad, who have received the news with joy, as they have been longing to hear the words of the Holy Father in regards to the recent events in Chad,” the Nuncio stated. “The majority of the diocese in the country have been affected by the war, as Chad is a fairly large country and the distances between places is great. In spite of all this, the Bishops have asked the Catholic community to pray intensely for peace. For example, the Bishop of Gore, Bishop Rosario Pio Ramolo, has asked that there be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and is also asking that there be special designated times for prayer for peace.”
“The situation in the capital, N’Djamena, is tranquil, although many who had fled during the violence prefer not to return until an environment of stability is established,” the Nuncio concluded. Many refugees are in the neighbouring country of Cameroon, almost 5,000 in the local parish of Kousseri, in the diocese of Yagoua (see Fides 6/2/2008). According to the local Red Cross, in the battle of N’Djamena, February 3-4, 160 people died and a thousand were injured.
In the political field, uncertainty continues regarding rebel actions. According to military sources, a caravan of 200 pick-up trucks filled with rebels has been located 400 kilometers east of N’Djamena, in the region of Mongo, where rebels who have been expelled by government forces from the capital, have met up with a caravan of reinforcements coming from the border with Sudan.
President Idriss Deby declared that he had retaken control of the capital and the rest of the country. Meanwhile, France has confirmed its support of the local government through the Defence Minister in Paris, who made an unexpected visit to a French military outpost in Chad. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 7/2/2008 righe 36 parole 459)
