Chad
Historical Chronology

The Council adopted resolution 1922 extending MINURCAT mandate until 26 May 2010

The head of MINURCAT, Victor da Silva Angelo, briefed the Council on progress in the framework of the 2007 Political Accord.

The head of MINURCAT, Victor da Silva Angelo, visited the Central African Republic capital Bangui to discuss the deteriorating security situation in the northern parts of the country with national authorities.

12 June 2009

The Chadian government released 84 child soldiers, from among 236 insurgents captured in clashes with rebel units in eastern Chad in late May, to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF). UNICEF said the children had been coerced into joining rebel ranks.

8 May 2009

The Council adopted a presidential statement  condemning renewed military incursions in eastern Chad by "Chadian armed groups, coming from outside”.  It expressed concern at the consequent threat posed to the safety of the civilian population and the conduct of humanitarian operations and called on the parties to respect and implement their mutual commitments.

The Security Council held an open meeting on the situation between Chad and Sudan, during which it was briefed by the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Rule of Law and Security Institutions in the Department for Peacekeeping Operations, Dmitry Titov.  The Chadian and Sudanese Ambassadors also participated in the meeting during which they traded accusations of the other aiding rebellion in their respective countries. (S/PV.6121 and S/PV.6122)

6 May 2009

The Permanent Representative of Chad, Ahmad Allam-mi, requested an open meeting ”to discuss the attack perpetrated by the Sudan against…Chad.”

24 April 2009

Edmond Mulet, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations briefed the Council (S/PV.6111) on the Secretary-General’s first report on MINURCAT since the transfer of authority from the EU Mission (EUFOR) to the UN on 15 March (S/2009/199). Mulet said critical shortfalls in equipment weakened the forces operational capability. MINURCAT’s military component, mandated to reach 5,200 troops, stood at 2,425 as at 22 April. Closed consultations were held following the open briefing

17 March 2009

Edmund Mullet, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, briefed the Council in closed consultations on the transfer of authority on 15 March from the EU Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (EUFOR) to a UN military component for the UN Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT). In SC/9614 the Council welcomed the successful transfer of authority on 15 March from EUFOR to MINURCAT, noted with satisfaction the completion of the deployment of the DIS, stresed the importance of a further improvement of regional relations, recalled their demand all armed groups in Chad and the CAR renounce violence and encouraged the authorities and political stakeholders in Chad the CAR to continue to pursue their efforts of national dialogue. 

15 March 2009

Transfer of authority occurs between the European operation in Chad and the CAR (EUFOR) and the UN Mission (MINURCAT) in accordance with resolution 1861.  Troops from countries such as Albania, Austria, Croatia, Finland, France, Ireland, Poland and Russia were re-hatted, while troops from Togo and Ghana have arrived to take up duties.  Malawi, Namibia, Nepal, Norway and Uruguay have committed to sending troops to MINURCAT.  The military strength during handover was approximately 2,400.  The Council issued a press statement (SC/9614) welcoming the transfer of authority. 

14 January 2009

The Council adopted unanimously  resolution 1861 extending the mandate of MINURCAT until 15 March 2010. The resolution also authorised the deployment of a 5,200 strong military component of MINURCAT to follow up EUFOR in both Chad and the CAR after its mandate expires on 15 March 2009. 

12 December 2008

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of MINURCAT, Victor da Silva Angelo briefed the Council on the updated planning for the UN military force to replace EUFOR Chad/CAR upon its mandate expiry of 15 March (S/PV.6042). 

4 December 2008

The Secretary-General’s report, which was expected by 15 November, was released (S/2008/760). 

4 December 2008

An Arria style meeting was held during which representatives from the International Crisis Group, Human Rights Watch and Oxfam International provided briefings to the Council on the humanitarian situation in eastern Chad and northeastern CAR and proposed measures for the Council to take to improve the security situation. 

15 November 2008

The Dakar Contact Group met in N'Djamena to further discuss deployment of a 2000-strong Chad-Sudan border observation mission. 

9 November 2008

Chad and Sudan exchange ambassadors.  Sudan had suspended diplomatic relations in May, accusing N’Djamena of sponsoring an assault on Khartoum by Darfur rebel group the Justice and Equality Movement. In turn, Chad accused Sudan of backing a Chadian rebel attack on N’Djamena in February.

8 November 2008

EUFOR troops evacuated nine aid workers from Sam Ouandja in north eastern CAR after they heard gunfire. Approximately 40 armed fighters raided a government troop camp but were repelled after about two hours. There were no reports of civilian injuries.

November 2008

An AU mission chaired by former Burundian President Pierre Buyoya begins working on recommendations to address the root causes of tension between Sudan and Chad.

24 October 2008

The first contingent of 100 UN-trained Chadian police, known as the Détachement intégré de Sécurité (DIS)  began their deployment to eastern Chad.

24 September 2008

The EU’s High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, presented its mid-term review of the EUFOR operation in Chad and the Central African Republic.  The Council unanimously adopted resolution 1834 renewing the mandate of MINURCAT until 15 March 2009.

mid September 2008

EUFOR reaches its full operational capability with approximately 3,300 troops, 200 of which are located in CAR.  EUFOR reached its initial operating capability in March.  Its mandate expires on 15 March 2009.

12 September 2008

The Secretary-General issued his report on post-EUFOR arrangements (S/2008/601 and S/2008/601Add.1))

9 September 2008

The World Bank announces its withdrawal of support to Chad for the Chad-Cameroon Petroleum Development and Pipeline Project after the government reneged on its commitment to allocate 80 percent of oil revenue to finance development projects.

7-8 August 2008

The Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of MINURCAT, Victor da Silva Ângelo, convened a two-day roundtable in Stockholm to take stock of the deployment of MINURCAT and EUFOR ahead of Council discussions on the issue in September. Participants included the Chadian government, the UN, the EU, the AU, the Council’s permanent members and Libya.

22 July 2008

In a document, the EU Council urged that, after duly consulting the Chadian and Central African authorities, “all steps be taken to ensure that arrangements for following up the EU's operation are put in place, with the possible inclusion of a United Nations operation.”

15 July 2008

The Council heard a Secretariat briefing in consultations on the Secretary-General’s latest progress report on the UN Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) (S/2008/444).

late June-early July 2008

A joint EU-UN mission visited the region to provide recommendations on arrangements for an international military presence post-March 2009, when EUFOR expires.

25 June 2008

The Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC, of which Chad is a member) adopted a communiqué urging a role for MINURCAT, EUFOR and the UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) on border security.

24 June 2008

A follow-up military experts’ meeting was held in Senegal, when it was decided that Sudanese and Chadian troops would monitor the border together with regional military observers.

mid-June 2008

Chadian rebels launched a new offensive, briefly taking over a number of towns in the east. The government again accused Sudan of assisting the rebels.

16 June 2008

The Council adopted a presidential statement, calling upon states in the region to implement the Dakar Agreement and expressing readiness to act against those who “constitute a threat to stability in the region or violate international humanitarian law.”

9 June 2008

The Dakar Agreement Contact Group held a ministerial-level meeting in Brazzaville to discuss plans to deploy a regional border monitoring force as provided for in the Agreement.  

31 May - 10 June 2008

The Council undertook a mission to a number of African countries, including Chad, where it focused on the situation of refugees and internally displaced persons, the delivery of humanitarian assistance, MINURCAT and the relationship between Sudan and Chad.

30 May 2008

In a letter from the Council’s President to the PBC Chairman, the Council referred the CAR for consideration by the PBC in response to a request from Bangui.

13 May 2008

The Council adopted a statement condemning the attack on Khartoum and but warning that no retaliatory action should be taken against civilian populations, or that had an impact on stability in the region.

10 May 2008

Darfur rebel group Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) carried out an unprecedented attack near the Sudanese capital, Khartoum. The Sudanese government subsequently cut off diplomatic ties with Chad, saying it was complicit in the attack. This prompted Chad to close its border with Sudan.

1 May 2008

The Chad country director of Save the Children UK was killed by gunmen near a EUFOR base in the east of the country.

16 April 2008

Chadian President Idriss Déby appointed Youssouf Saleh Abbas as prime minister in an apparent overture to the opposition. The latter insisted on dialogue involving armed movements, elections and full disclosure of the fate of Ibn Mahamat Saleh, an opposition leader missing since a government crackdown in February.  An agreement was reached leading to the appointment of opposition members to head the defence and justice ministries.

9 April 2008

The Council held consultations on Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR). Discussions included a briefing by Assistant Secretary-General Edmond Mulet on progress with the deployment of the UN Mission in the CAR and Chad and the EU Force. In a press statement, members expressed concern with the situation in eastern Chad and north-eastern CAR, encouraged the governments of both countries to promote national dialogue and also encouraged implementation of the Sudan-Chad Dakar Agreement (SC/9295).

17 March 2008

EUFOR was officially declared operational.

12 March 2008

Chad and Sudan signed a new agreement to defuse tensions and stop mutual support for rebels. The Dakar agreement also established an international contact group reportedly including Congo, Gabon, Libya and Senegal to oversee implementation.

March 2008

Intense fighting in West Darfur involving the Sudanese government and the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) has led to the arrival of tens of thousands of new Sudanese refugees in Chad, adding to the existing 250,000. There are also an estimated 180,000 internally displaced Chadians.

26 February 2008

The Council had a briefing on Chad where the Chadian foreign minister spoke, apparently reiterating N'Djamena's focus on international pressure on Sudan to stop supporting rebels and implement bilateral agreements.

12 February 2008

The Secretary-General's Special Representative, Victor da Silva Angelo, said a political process is needed.

4 February 2008

The Council adopted a presidential statement on Chad that supported the 2 February AU decision condeming rebel attacks against the government.

3 February 2008

France called for weekend consultations, followed by a Secretariat briefing on Chad. France introduced a draft presidential statement with a Council endorsement of international military assistance to the Chadian government.

early February 2008

Rebels attacked the Chadian capital of N'Djamena. Tens of thousands of Chadians fled to Cameroon and Nigeria.

28 January 2008

The Secretary-General informed the Security Council of his intention to appoint Victor Da Silva Angelo of Portugal as his Special Representative for Chad and Central African Republic (CAR) and head of MINURCAT.

7 January 2008

The Council adopted a press statement that “welcomed progress made in the deployment of MINURCAT and encouraged contributors to make available to MINURCAT and EUFOR the personnel and resources required for the implementation of their mandates” (SC/9221). In the statement, the Council expressed concern at recent actions of illegal armed groups in eastern Chad and western Sudan and tensions it has engendered between the two countries.

December 2007

Difficulties surrounding the EU protection force, particularly shortfalls in helicopters and funding. Tensions along the border with Sudan increase, Sudan accused Chadian armed forces of conducting aerial bombings in its territory.

November 2007

An initial MINURCAT civilian nucleus was deployed.

late October-November 2007

Talks under Libyan auspices produced a ceasefire and a peace agreement between the government and four rebel groups.  Concern over the security situation remained, especially after two rebel groups broke the ceasefire in late November.

25 September 2007

The Council unanimously passed resolution 1778, which established the UN Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT).  

19 September 2007

Under Secretary-General Jean-Marie Guéhenno briefed the Council on major aspects of the proposed deployments.

17 September 2007

The European Union (EU) reportedly indicated its readiness in a letter to proceed with the proposed deployments in Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR).

11 September 2007

Chad formally confirmed its consent to the proposed deployments by the UN and the EU.

September 2007

Media reports noted threats from Chadian rebel groups that if the proposed EU force -- and its French contigents in particular -- were perceived to be taking sides they would be attacked.

early September 2007

The Secretary-General visited Chad as part of his wider efforts to advance peacekeeping plans in the region and the political process in Darfur.  During the trip, a joint communiqué with the Chadian government was signed, in which N'Djamena expressed its readiness to consolidate the domestic political dialogue and to coordinate with Sudan on normalisation of regional relations.

27 August 2007

The Council adopted a presidential statement expressing readiness to authorise deployments in Chad and the Central African Republic.

17 August 2007

An agreement between the government and political opposition providing for power-sharing and wide reforms in the Chadian electoral system, to be followed by parliamentary elections in two years, was signed.

10 August 2007

The Secretary-General unveiled new recommendations for peacekeeping in Chad and the Central African Republic, including an EU military component.

23 July 2007

EU foreign ministers said that military staff had been asked to plan a possible operation "in support of the multidimensional UN presence in eastern Chad and northeastern Central African Republic with a view of improving security in those areas."

19 July 2007

President Idriss Deby of Chad said he "agreed in principle" to the presence of an EU military component. 

13 July 2007

Security Council heard a briefing by Under Secretary-General Jean-Marie Guéhenno on prospects for peacekeeping in eastern Chad and the Central African Republic. 

June 2007

Chad President Déby visited Khartoum and Egypt. The meetings in Khartoum reportedly focused on deploying joint border monitoring units comprising 2,000 troops, but no timeframe was specified.

26 June 2007

The Secretariat mission concluded its trip to Chad and the Central African Republic.

25 June 2007

Further discussions were held during a high-level meeting in Paris. Some EU members attended, along with the UN, the Arab League, US, China, Russia and other players. Sudan, Chad and the AU were absent.

11-12 June 2007

Discussions with Chad and Sudan took place  during a visit by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.

mid-June 2007

The Chadian government and rebel groups reportedly entered into Libya-brokered peace talks. 

June-July 2007

In Chad, violence continued. In addition, concerns with increasing malnutrition, disease and lack of humanitarian access were becoming acute as the rainy season approached. France reportedly airlifted aid into eastern Chad.

21-29 May 2007

A AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) mission visited Sudan, Chad and the Central African Republic. The mission, headed by Nigeria, was expected to assess the situation in the region and report back to the PSC with recommendations.

early May 2007

With Saudi Arabia's facilitation, Sudan and Chad signed yet another agreement. Both pledged to respect each other's sovereignty; to prevent the use of their respective territories by armed groups; and refuse support for such groups.

mid-April 2007

International efforts to gain regional support for robust peacekeeping included a visit by US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte to Sudan, Chad and Libya.

4 April 2007

Under Secretary-General John Holmes briefed the Council on the humanitarian situation in the region. Holmes suggested that, given Chad's reluctance, alternative options would be deploying a UN mission solely in the Central African Republic for the time being, or strengthening of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community's (CEMAC) military operation deployed in the Central African Republic (FOMUC).

10 March 2007

Chadian and Sudanese representatives reportedly met in Tehran to continue talks to normalise bilateral relations. It was reportedly agreed that an Iranian technical assistance team on regional issues would go to Chad and Sudan.

February 2007

The Secretary-General presented finalised options on a UN operation in Chad and the Central African Republic. In Libya, Chad and Sudan agreed to re-energise the Tripoli Agreement and the Central African Republic government and the Union des forces démocratiques pour le rassemblement (UFDR) signed a peace deal. Chad opposed the deployment of the UN advance mission and of an operation with a robust military contingent.

January 2007

The Council requested finalised options on a UN operation in Chad and the Central African Republic.

December 2006

Cautioning against deployment without a political process, the Secretary-General unveiled preliminary options on a UN operation in Chad and the Central African Republic. Chad signed a peace deal with the Front Uni pour le Changement (FUC) under Libyan auspices.

August 2006

The Council adopted resolution 1706, expanding the mandate of the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) to include its deployment to Darfur in order to support the  implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement.

June 2006

A Council mission visited Chad and Sudan. Chad requested to brief the Council on Sudan's support for Chadian rebels.

April 2006

Chadian rebels attacked N'Djamena.

8 February 2006

Chad and Sudan signed the Tripoli Agreement

late 2005

Spill-over from the conflict in Darfur into Chad increased significantly. Chadian rebels began an offensive against the government in the east. Chad and Sudan openly traded accusations of rebel support.