When will the "Big Attack" come?

In the eyes of many, the question is not "if", but "when"

For those living beside the Sudanese border, especially in Abéché, the big question is "When will the rebels attack?" Chadians and foreigners living there expect something to happen in January or February. President Déby is reported to be nervous about his position. Tchadactuel.com reports that one of his spies heard those at a celebration of Timan, who is one of the important military officials, saying "Mabrouk, Mabrouk" (Congratulations) to him. The spy assumed that they had gathered to plan a rebellion against the President, and those at the party were congratulating their new leader.

As a result, President Déby's Sudanese mercenaries began going around from house to house, confiscating weapons from all those who could potentially be in a rebellion against him.

At the same time, tchadactuel.com spoke of inter-rebel fighting in Bahai last week. If this report is true, it does not bode well for the united front the rebellion would need to succeed if they are to remove the authority from President Déby.

Friends in N'Djaména report that the president cannot trust his northern brothers, so he is turning to Christians for help. Last month he held a big Christmas party and invited many of his Christian friends to participate, all expenses paid. Since 2006, everyone in Chad has been anticipating the "big attack" that will overthrow President Déby and usher in a new government. So for three years, life in Chad has been characterised by fear, speculation and concern for the future.

With the intelligence capabilities at their disposal, many western governments lean to the pessimist's side, and are asking their nationals to think very seriously about living and working in Chad. Many countries are warning those holding their passports that if they are in Chad, their security becomes their own responsibility. Pessimists expect a new government to be more restrictive, more Islamic, more like Sudan and restrictive of religious freedom for non-Muslims.

A small number of optimists believe that a new government will bring peace and positive advancement to Chad at last. So some are praying for the rebellion to come quickly, others are praying that it would never come. Of course, the ideal situation would be that the government transition would come in a peaceful manner.

We pray that the Father who holds all days in His hands would be with the poor and the oppressed, the rich and the authorities, on that day, if it is to come. We can all thank God for each day that passes without a rebel attack entering Chad. Silence on this blog is a sign of God's mercy at work in this struggling nation!

And our prayers are especially with our friends who have been willingly living under this threat with a desire to make an Eternal difference in this country. We hear that there is an openness like never before to the Hope that only Christ can bring. God is blessing Chad in her greatest time of uncertainty.