Security Council

5913^th Meeting (AM)

SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS RECENT ATTACKS BY CHADIAN ARMED GROUPS,

ALL ATTEMPTS TO DESTABILIZE SITUATION IN CHAD BY FORCE

 

Presidential Statement Reiterates Commitment to Country’s

Sovereignty, Urges All Parties to Respect Sirte Agreement of 25 October 2007

Condemning the attacks conducted by Chadian armed groups since 11 June and attempts to destabilize the situation in Chad by force, the Security Council this morning demanded that those groups immediately cease their violence and urged all parties to respect the October 2007 Sirte agreement.

In a statement read by the Council President for June, Zalmay Khalilzad of the United States, the Council expressed deep concern over the direct threat the armed groups’ activity posed for the safety of civilians and humanitarian operations, and it reiterated its commitment to Chad’s sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and political independence.  It urged all parties to comply fully with their obligations under international humanitarian law.

Under the Sirte agreement, the Chadian Government and the main armed opposition groups agreed to respect the Constitution, cease fighting and grant amnesty to rebel groups, as well as integrate them into the national army and allow them to participate in the running of State affairs.

The Council also called upon all States in the region to implement their commitments under the 13 March Dakar Accord and prior agreements, as well as to cooperate in order to end the armed groups’ activities and attempts to seize power by force.

Further, the Council expressed its full support for the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) and the European operation deployed in Chad and the Central African Republic (EUFOR Chad/CAR) to help protect vulnerable civilians and facilitate humanitarian aid.  It called on all parties to guarantee security and freedom of movement of their personnel and associated personnel.

The meeting began at 11:51 a.m. and ended at 11:56 a.m.

Presidential Statement

The presidential statement, to be issued as document S/PRST/2008/22, reads as follows:

“The Security Council condemns in the strongest terms the attacks conducted by Chadian armed groups since 11 June 2008.

“The Security Council condemns all attempts at destabilization by force, and reiterates its commitment to the sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and political independence of Chad.  It demands that armed groups cease violence immediately and urges all parties to respect the Sirte agreement of 25 October 2007.

“The Security Council calls upon States in the region to implement their commitments under the Dakar Accord of 13 March 2008 and prior agreements, and to cooperate with a view to putting an end to the activities of armed groups in the region and their attempts to seize power by force.

“The Security Council conveys deep concern at the direct threat the activity of armed groups poses for the safety of the civilian population and the conduct of humanitarian operations, and urges all parties to comply fully with their obligations under international humanitarian law.

“The Security Council expresses its full support for the United Nations Mission (MINURCAT) and the European operation (EUFOR Chad/CAR) deployed in Chad and the Central African Republic to contribute to the protection of vulnerable civilian populations and to facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance, and calls on all parties to guarantee the security and freedom of movement of their personnel and associated personnel.

“The Security Council encourages the Chadian authorities to persevere in promoting political dialogue, with respect for the constitutional framework, as initiated by the agreement of 13 August 2007.

“The Security Councils stands ready to consider appropriate measures against those groups and individuals who constitute a threat to the stability of the region or violate international humanitarian law.”

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For information media • not an official record