Yesterday, mid morning, two suicide bombers targeted two locations in N'djamena, one the police head quarters and one the police training school. Senseless acts of terrorism that not only killed 23 people and injured over 100 but has now instilled a level of fear into the hearts of all those living here in the capital. (Please read more here).
Boko Haram had said they would attack because Chad has sent forces to work alongside Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger. It is widely believed this is the work of Boko Haram. Whether the attacks stop here or continue, only time will tell.
All MAF staff, both national and international are safe and well although obviously shocked and saddened by what has occurred. N'djamena is a very small city and so everything is so close. There is now a huge lock down in the whole city and the security forces are restricting movements and access to many areas of the city. This is obviously understandable but not sustainable as so many areas of the city are closed off. Today the airport was closed to all vehicles which meant to get the the MAF hanger and office all staff had to walk about a 15 minute walk past the security barriers in 40 degree heat.
For the next few days we are being advised to restrict all our movements, especially with children. The government has just declared three days of mourning and so we are expecting an extended period of lockdown in the city as many of the funerals take place.
Please join us in praying for peace in this city and in the country as a whole.
Thank you to all those who checked on us and have sent messages.
