Security Council deplores renewed incursions in eastern Chad

The Security Council today condemned the renewed military incursions in eastern Chad, where the United Nations says ongoing clashes are hindering efforts to assist hundreds of thousands of civilians taking refuge in the area.

In a statement read by Ambassador Vitaly Churkin of Russia, which holds the Council's rotating presidency for May, the 15-member body spoke out against the incursions “of Chadian armed groups, coming from outside.”

The Council stressed that any attempt at destabilizing Chad by force is “unacceptable” and demanded that rebel armed groups cease violence immediately.

In addition, it voiced deep concern at the direct threat posed by the activity of armed groups for the safety of civilians and humanitarian operations in the area.

In an earlier meeting, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Dmitry Titov reported that the UN Mission in Chad and the Central African Republic (MINURCAT) was able to confirm that the Chadian National Army was conducting air strikes against a rebel column in eastern Chad, in the area of Goz Beida.

While no significant population displacements have been reported as a result of the fighting so far, the clashes have “seriously compromised” the ability of UN agencies and their non-governmental organization (NGO) partners to deliver humanitarian assistance, he said.

Just two days ago, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced increasing concern at the fighting and called for the respect of the humanitarian character of the operations of the UN and NGOs in eastern Chad.

The region is home to over 290,000 Sudanese refugees from the conflict in Darfur, more than 180,000 IDPs and a further 700,000 individuals among host communities in need of food, water and health care.

Mr. Titov said that the deteriorating security situation has prompted humanitarian actors, including three UN agencies and 11 NGOs, to relocate their non-essential staff as a precautionary measure.

With the rainy season beginning, it is critically important that the humanitarian community is able to pre-position essential humanitarian supplies and materials, especially in areas which become essentially isolated due to flooded and impassable roads, he said. “Should the current situation worsen, it could potentially jeopardize this important work.”

Mr. Titov recalled that on 3 May in Doha, the Governments of Chad and Sudan signed a new agreement to normalize relations and deny any support on their respective territories to rebel groups that are hostile to either of them. However, only two days later, a Chadian Government spokesperson accused Sudan of sending armed elements into eastern Chad, a charge which Khartoum denied.

“It is essential that both Governments act upon the Doha Agreement and past commitments to prevent further rebel incursions from either side of the border,” said Mr. Titov. “It is also essential that armed opposition groups, on both sides of the border, realize that efforts to seize power through force are unacceptable.”

He added that MINURCAT, which is tasked with protecting civilians in danger, facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid and personnel, as well as safeguarding UN personnel and facilities, still lacks some of the troops and 14 of the 18 helicopters it requires.

“As a result, the military force lacks the ability to observe and track incidents as they develop, as well as a force reserve with rapid mobility to reinforce sites or react to changing circumstances,” he said, urging the Council to join Mr. Ban in his appeal to potential troop contributors to provide MINURCAT with the assets it needs.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported today that despite the ongoing clashes between armed groups in eastern Chad, aid operations are continuing for 250,000 Darfur refugees, 18,000 Central African Republic refugees, and 166,000 Chadian IDPs and their host families.

The UN in Chad has called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and specifically to ensure protection of civilians, particularly women and children. It has also urged that humanitarian space be respected to allow aid to continue to reach those in greatest need.