SECURITY COUNCIL PRESS STATEMENT ON SITUATION IN CHAD,

 

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, SUBREGION

The following Security Council press statement on the situation in Chad, the Central African Republic and the subregion was read out today by Council President Dumisani S. Kumalo (South Africa):

The members of the Security Council heard a briefing by Assistant Secretary-General Edmond Mulet on the situation in Chad, the Central African Republic and the subregion, and the deployment of the United Nations Missions in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) and EUFOR Chad/CAR.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their concern at the situation in eastern Chad and the north-eastern Central African Republic, in particular on the humanitarian level, whilst the number of refugees and internally displaced persons continues to increase.  They expressed their concern about the threat which insecurity poses to the conduct of humanitarian operations.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the progress in the deployment of MINURCAT and EUFOR Chad/CAR, and encouraged Member States to support those deployments, particularly through appropriate contributions in personnel and assets.  They stressed that the full deployment of MINURCAT and EUFOR Chad/CAR will contribute to the protection of vulnerable civilian populations and to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance, pursuant to resolution 1778 (2007).

The members of the Security Council commended President Wade of Senegal for his mediation efforts, which enabled the signing of the Dakar Agreement between Sudan and Chad on 13 March 2008.  They strongly urged Sudan and Chad to meet these and prior reciprocal commitments, welcomed the formation of the Contact Group, chaired by Libya and Congo and due to hold its first meeting in Libreville, and encouraged the countries of the region to get actively involved in the follow-up of this agreement.

The members of the Security Council condemned the continuing armed activity of rebel groups in Chad, in particular the attack on Adé on 1 April 2008.  They urged all concerned parties to respect the Syrte Agreement of 25 October 2007.

The members of the Security Council encouraged the Chadian authorities to persevere in promoting political dialogue as initiated by the agreement of 13 August 2007.  They also encouraged the Government of the Central African Republic to continue its efforts to promote an inclusive political dialogue in the country.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record