Press Conference on the EU support of peace and security in Chad and the Central African Republic
On Tuesday, March 17, consultations of the Security Council took place, convened on the occasion of the transition of the European Union mission EUFOR operating in Chad and the Central African Republic to the United Nations MINURCAT mission. After the meeting that started at 11:00 a.m. Ambassador Martin Palous on behalf of the Czech EU Presidency joined by the Permanent Representative of Austria H.E. Thomas Mayr-Harting, the Permanent Representative of France H.E. Mr. Jean-Maurice Ripert and the Deputy Permanent Representative of Great Britain H.E. Ms. Karen Pierce addressed the media from the Security Council Stakeout with more details on the EU involvement in the region - both in the form of the EUFOR as well as the participation in the MINURCAT mission.
19.03.2009 21:15
For a written press release issued by our Permanent Mission on behalf of the Presidency click HERE.
For the video of press event from the UN Webcast archives click HERE.
For an article in Voice of America about the event click HERE.
Security Council press statement on Chad, Central African Republic
SC/9614
AFR/1825
The following Security Council press statement on Chad and the Central African Republic was read out today by Council President Ibrahim Dabbashi ( Libya):
The members of the Security Council welcome the successful transfer of authority on 15 March 2009 between the European operation in Chad and the Central African Republic (EUFOR) and the United Nations Mission (MINURCAT), as provided for in resolution 1861 (2009).
The members of the Security Council commend the European Union for the successful deployment of EUFOR Chad/CAR, the support it has provided to United Nations activities in eastern Chad and the north-eastern Central African Republic, and the contribution it has made to the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance and the security and stability in its area of operation. They welcome the close cooperation between EUFOR and MINURCAT throughout the mandate of the European Union operation.
The members of the Security Council welcome the contributions made by members of the United Nations to MINURCAT military and police personnel, including the re-hatting of a significant part of EUFOR Chad/CAR.
The members of the Security Council also take note with satisfaction of the completion of the deployment of the Détachement Intégré de Sécurité (DIS), which is a critical element of the multidimensional presence deployed in Chad to contribute to the protection of refugees from Darfur, internally displaced persons and other vulnerable civilians in regions affected by the Darfur crisis. They encourage donors to provide continued funding for the DIS trust fund.
The members of the Security Council stress the importance of a further improvement of regional relations, in particular between Sudan and Chad, and reiterate their support for the Dakar process and for efforts carried out by countries in the region to that end, particularly in the framework of the Dakar contact group co-chaired by Congo and Libya.
The members of the Security Council recall their demand that all armed groups in Chad and the Central African Republic renounce violence and respect and implement the Sirte Agreement of 25 October 2007 and the Libreville Agreement of 21 June 2008.
The members of the Security Council encourage the authorities and political stakeholders in Chad and the Central African Republic to continue to pursue their efforts of national dialogue, in the framework of the 13 August 2007 N'Djamena Agreement and of the conclusions of the Inclusive Political Dialogue held in Bangui in December 2008.
SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON THE TRANSFER OF AUTHORITY FROM EUFOR TO MINURCAT
15 March 2009
Today at midnight local time, the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) took over the military and security responsibilities of the European Union Force (EUFOR), in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1861 of 14 January 2009. The event was marked by a ceremony in Abéché attended by the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Alain Le Roy.
The Secretary-General commends EUFOR for the important role it has played over the past year in enhancing security for internally displaced persons, refugees and other vulnerable groups in eastern Chad and north-eastern Central African Republic. As MINURCAT assumes its new responsibilities, the Secretary-General is confident that the force will build upon and strengthen EUFOR’s military achievements while continuing to execute the full range of its mandated tasks, including to contribute to the promotion of human rights and the rule of law and to support the development of the Chadian community police (Détachement Intégré de Sécurité) deployed in eastern Chad.
The Secretary-General is grateful for the commitments to the UN Force received from several EUFOR contributors and new troop contributing countries. He encourages Member States to continue to fill remaining gaps, including military aviation assets, to ensure that MINURCAT is adequately equipped to fulfill its mandate.
In order to succeed, MINURCAT will need the active support of the Governments of Chad and the Central African Republic. The Secretary-General is grateful to both Governments for their cooperation during the transition period and looks forward to working with them in the implementation of MINURCAT’s mandate.
