A university rector savagely beaten by the police in Chad

Please pray for Dr. Isaac and his family, for healing and strength. Pray also for Chad in this terrible time: for wisdom for the leaders, and provision for those who are going without and living in pain, both inside and out...

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world gives, I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." - John 14:27

APA: Dr. Isaac Danadji, the Rector of the University of Moundou, was savagely beaten last Saturday by the police for using coal in the refectory of the University, APA learned from sources. Moundou is the economic capital of Chad, 450 km (280 mi) south of N'Djamena.
Charcoal use has been prohibited in Chad for three months by the authorities.
When informed of the use of charcoal at the university, heavily armed brigade troops for the protection of the environment raided the premises of the institution located about fifteen miles north of the town of Moundou.
The soldiers found two bags of coal, which they burned in the courtyard of the University, causing anger among the students.
The brigade fired shots into the air to stop the grumbling of students, causing a real disturbance on campus.
For daring to protest against such brute force, the rector was knocked out by the officers of the brigade who then copiously beat him before throwing him into the back of their truck like a bag of coal, barefoot.
Mr. Danadji was then imprisoned for several hours before being released, having been completely disfigured, according to testimonies of the students.
The same fate was reserved for the vice-rector, Dr Gaston Tarkoudjal, who wished to come to the aid of his supervisor.
Since this incident, all classes have been interrupted at the University of Moundou.

The original article in French is posted at tchadactuel.com

More Than Trees are Falling

February 29, 2008: The BBC wrote an interesting article about the trees that are being felled on Charles De Gaulle Street in N'Djamena, one of the most important streets in the capital city. I have a nostalgic feeling about these trees that we so often did not notice when we would be downtown buying supplies or enjoying breakfast at a café, but whose absence would have spoken loudly. They brought shade and life to an otherwise hot and dry place. But because the rebels were able to hide behind them in the fighting, and may do so again, the Chadian government decided that they needed to be cut down.
In an arid country like Chad, one does not just decide to cut trees down without a reason. They will take decades to grow back, IF all goes well. So, despite their verbal assurances of having dealt a decisive blow to the rebels, the Chadian government has shown by their actions that they expect the rebels to be back soon, because actions show better what's inside than words.
Because of ambition and power, this conflict is cutting down more than innocent trees. Please pray for the innocent and suffering whose only home is the capital city, and for a lasting peace to come to Chad as soon as possible.

Click here to read the original BBC article