Dear Praying Partners,
Where to begin, the past few weeks have flown by and much has happened. Mali is in the forefront of our thoughts right now. Less than a week ago a group of troubled soldiers took over the Bamako radio and TV station and then the Presidential Palace. They had come to bring to the Government’s attention that the Army fighting the Tuareg rebellion in the north has inadequate equipment and limited food supplies and atrocities were happening. The National Movement for the Liberation of the Azawad wants independence for Northern Mali’s Desert Region. They are very well equipped from weapons gained from the Libyan troubles, where a band of Tuaregs had been on Gadaffi’s side as mercenaries.
President Amadou Toumani Toure, who has been in power for two terms and was preparing to step down when the democratic elections were to happen next month, has been safely taken into hiding by The Red Berets, his elite personal guard. His hiding place is unknown. We are thankful that he is safe so far. Since last Thursday they had no water, no electricity and no Internet. Thankfully the situation is better this week.
The International Community does not recognize this group of renegade soldiers who have taken over. It is not an all out military Coup d’état. So far it has been a period of watching and waiting on both sides. Yesterday a demonstration took place in the capital led by leaders in Malian society from Government officials to students who are against the Coup.
Meanwhile the Tuareg families have fled to the neighbouring countries or are displaced within Mali and are dependent on the kindness of others to meet their daily needs. Bearing in mind that a famine situation is building up across the Sahel too.
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.” I Timothy 2 v 1 – 4
God bless you!
Pastor Christophe DEMBELE