Africa Vision 45

Africa Vision 45

February 2, 2008

Rebels in N’Djamena

The president of Chad is under heavy pressure. As I write the heavy artillery pounding has stopped for some minutes. The gunshots are still ringing in my ears. President Idris Itno Deby is fighting for his life. Maybe as of today he will be enjoying his collected millions in France. That is if the rebels let him escape. After a one-week journey through the Chadian outback and a clash yesterday 50 kilometers outside of N’Djamena the rebels have taken the upper hand. Next on the agenda will be the looting that happens in moments of transition.

It has been hectic today. Rebels shelling the presidential palace only 30 minutes ago. It is about 1 kilometer away from hotel Meridian where I have taken up shelter.

How does it feel to hear bullets zing by?

Trembling due to grenades hitting hard.

Tank rolling and helicopters in the sky?

See and smell mortar’s shard.

There was a song in my head or actually several.
Oompa Loompa from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
I will survive by Cake
Don’t worry about a thing by Bob Marley and the Wailers.

You live the moment.

1. Discuss with an Ivorian professor who teaches in San Francisco the economical history of Africa. Banter on the pros and cons of the nation state in Africa. How Africa’s nations nearly all young are doing remarkably well in some ways

2. Discuss with an Arabic gum trader his experiences of the embargo of trade with North Sudan, the revolution in Chad and the uprising in Kenya. All this in the last weeks

3. You meditate for peace.

4. Shell out hugs

5. Share French fries.

6. Have dinner with 9 people from all over the world and discuss Celine Dion, world abundance, African coups, Churchill, American presidential elections and million things more during a French cheese gourmet dinner. Joking about a coup that seemingly failed.

Today is the moment of bliss. The moment to rejoice. Be alive. No way the end is near.

I contemplated on going to the hospital, as there are hundreds of wounded soldiers there. But there has been no opportunity for transport and it would be silly to risk being attacked by rebels, stray bullets, stray dogs and bombarding to aid the needy.

Waiting for the sun and praying for peace.

Namaskar,

Ashis