Brussels, 18/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - The Foreign Affairs Ministers of the Twenty-Seven, meeting in Brussels on Monday 18 February, have strongly condemned the latest attacks carried out by armed groups against the government of Chad, and called upon all parties to “unconditionally renounce the use of force and engage in a constructive dialogue aimed at finding a peaceful solution to the current crisis”. They also reiterated the neutrality of EUFOR Tchad/RCA, the military operation of the European Union in Chad and the Central African Republic, which the opposition forces in Chad suspect of promoting French interests- wrongly, as the EU stresses.
In its conclusions, the Council “expresses its deep concern regarding the regional ramifications of the conflict in Darfur and attempts of overthrowing the Chadian government and fully backs the African Union and the United Nations' call for the respect of the sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity of Chad”. To allow the conflict to be overcome, it calls upon the government of Sudan and Chad to “immediately stop supporting and equipping armed groups and to improve their relations”.
Further to the state of emergency declared by the Chadian authorities, the Counsel stated that it will be keeping a very close eye on the observation of rights and civil liberties, and of the fundamental principles of the rule of law. Reiterating its full support for the political agreement of 13 August supported by almost all of the legal opposition parties and the presidential majority, the Council describes this as the “cornerstone of a broader roadmap leading to legislative elections in 2009”. It therefore calls on the Chadian authorities immediately to continue to support this process, and calls upon all parties to agree to renewed dialogue and to start work in the framework of the “follow-up” committee of the agreement.
The Council “expresses its deep concern over the arrest of members of the unarmed political opposition in Chad”, including Mr Lol Mahamat Choua. It calls on President Idriss Déby “to show restraint and immediately release these detainees”.
The Council also condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the attacks carried out on 8 February by Sudanese forces against three villages in western Darfur, and voices its deep concern at the number of civilians killed or injured, as reported by UNAMID and OCHA. It also condemns the military activities of rebel movements in western Darfur and calls upon all parties to commit to an immediate cessation of hostilities.
In the opinion of the Council, the consequences of these attacks on the east of Chad, which has seen 10,000 further refugees flood in near to Guereda, demonstrate the urgent need for an increase in international efforts to make refugees and internally displaced persons safe, by means of a deployment of EUFOR Tchad/RCA and MINURCAT, and by means of a full deployment of UNAMID in Darfur.
“EUFOR's mandate is to contribute to the protection of civilians in danger, particularly displaced persons and refugees, to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and the free movement of humanitarian personnel and to contribute to the protection of UN personnel, installations and equipment. In observance of its mandate, EUFOR Tchad/RCA will act in an impartial, neutral and independent manner”, the conclusions reiterate.
The Council welcomes the financial contribution made by the European Commission to MINURCAT and the channelling of humanitarian aid to those who need it the most, and the support it has provided to the reconciliation and rehabilitation process of the areas hit by the conflicts. (A.N.)