Security Council press statement on Chad, Central African Republic

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.

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