Tragic accident in Tanzania: Blaise Gaitou has passed away.
Pontarlier, February 28, 2024
It is with immense sadness that Youth With A Mission (YWAM) announces the passing of eleven of its members in a road accident that occurred on Saturday, February 24, near Arusha, Tanzania.
A truck with failed brakes collided with several vehicles, including a bus carrying participants to a leadership seminar. The toll is heavy: 25 people lost their lives, including eleven YWAM members. Among the victims were also Blaise Gaitou, a FOMECAF leadership member, and three individuals who had participated in activities initiated by the Radio Réveil association in Francophone Africa.
Blaise Gaitou played a crucial role in the development and success of our organization's activities in Francophone Africa. From 2016 to 2018, he was a driving force behind our presence in Niamey, Niger. His commitment and expertise helped forge lasting relationships with local stakeholders and launch impactful initiatives. In 2019, he then significantly contributed to establishing our organization in Lomé, Togo. His involvement in the creation of FOMECAF was instrumental, as were his interventions and training sessions for numerous African media professionals.
Blaise Gaitou: A Champion of Living Together
In Niger, Blaise, who was of Muslim origin, was a true champion of coexistence. He played an essential role as a mediator between different communities and passionately dedicated himself to promoting interreligious dialogue. Alongside his other activities, Blaise hosted a show on the secular radio station "Nagarta" in Maradi, eastern Niger. This program, which our association supported for a time, allowed him to reach a wide audience and share his thoughts on important social and cultural topics.
Blaise's passing is an immense loss for our organization and for the entire community of media professionals in Francophone Africa. We honor his memory and commit to continuing his work with the same passion and dedication.
Call for Prayers
The Médias Ébène association extends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims, especially to Jeannette, Blaise's wife, and their two children. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this time of profound grief.
Joële Zeller, head of YWAM's children's movement, "The Joy Makers," was also seriously injured in the accident. She is currently being repatriated to Switzerland by air ambulance. We ask for prayers for her recovery and for the support of her family.
Guy Zeller, her husband, who was in a bus following the one involved in the accident, was not physically injured but witnessed the tragedy. We offer him our full support.
Emmanuel Ziehli, President
Listen to Blaise Gaitou again on Serge Carrel's microphone
https://radioreveil.ch/episode/blaise-gaitou-il-y-avait-jesus-dans-mon-reve/
FOMECAF Press Release:
https://medias.africa/2024/02/25/communique-du-fomecaf/
Tribute to Blaise Gaitou:
https://medias.africa/2024/02/26/blaise-gaitou-lhomme-qui-vivait-la-foi-chretienne/
More about the accident: https://www.letemps.ch/monde/au-moins-25-personnes-tuees-dans-un-accident-routier-en-tanzanie-une-suissesse-blessee
On the morning of the accident, Blaise posted this encouragement on his Facebook account. We share it with you:
“AFTER YOU HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT, YOU WILL STAND FIRM” Ephesians 6:13, PDV
Three formidable weapons to overcome the adversary:
- The shield of faith: Imagine settlers' wagons encircled by the flaming arrows of Native Americans. It's impossible to fight fire and the enemy at the same time! The arrows are a diabolical diversion. Satan uses the same strategy. But faith in the Word of God extinguishes his flaming arrows.
- The helmet of salvation: Protect your mind! When faced with doubts instilled by Satan, respond with the assurance of your identity in Christ: a redeemed, forgiven, righteous child of God and a citizen of heaven.
- The sword of the Spirit, the word of God: This refers not to the written *logos*, but to the *rhema*, the spoken word. Proclaim the Word of God to defeat Satan! Remember, he tempted Jesus three times in the desert, and three times, Jesus repelled him with 'It is written' (Matthew 4:4-10). The Word of God is his ultimate weapon!
