A Teenager in the Chad Civil War

Recent years have found much of Africa to be a land of turmoil and revolution. Distress in the Sudan and countries, such as Rwanda, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and Liberia have made Africa the sight of a variety of atrocities from displacement to torture to genocide. The country of Chad, which theoretically gained its independence from France in 1960, is one of many that have been fighting a series of particularly brutal wars, both internal and external. In 1982, Hissene Habre wrested power from Chad's UN - recognized government, igniting a vicious civil war. Thousands of innocent citizens were kidnapped, tortured and killed in an attempt to mitigate the political unrest of the nation. Covering the years from 1982-1986, this memoir tells the story of Esaie Toingar, a native of southern Chad and miraculous survivor of Chad's darkest days, many of which came during the months of September. This work contains Toingar's first-hand description of growing up, coming of age and waging the ultimate struggle for survival in the war-torn country. It gives a graphic account of what transpired in Chad during the rule of Hissene Habre, and the ways in which the author managed to survive, fleeing his home village and seeking safety among the CODOs, a rebel movement of the South. Derived primarily from Toingar's own memories, this work also utilizes information garnered from other first-hand testimonials, and a 1991 documentary filmed by post - Habre Chad Television. Unique photographs from the author's own collection are included.