Chad

On June 10th, 2007, the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Mr. Kouchner, visited Chad before heading to Khartoum, to propose a political and security solution for the consequences of the regional crisis in Darfur.

President Idriss Deby Itno came to Paris in mid-July 2007 where he met with the President of the Republic. He participated in the Lisbon Summit (EU-Africa) on December 9th and spoke with President Sarkozy on this occasion. He paid a private visit to Paris from December 9th to 12th.

In 2008, following the events of February, President Sarkozy and Minister Bernard Kouchner visited Chad on February 27th (the Minister continued his visit to the East on February 28th and 29th).

On November 21st and 22nd, 2008, the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Mr. Kouchner again traveled to Chad to assess the situation in eastern Chad (including the return of displaced persons) and met with that country’s authorities. He also participated in the authority transfer ceremonies between EUFOR and MINURCAT on March 14th and 15th, 2009 in Ndjamena and Abeche.

At the time of the latest offensive by Chadian rebels, Minister Bernard Kouchner received his Chadian counterpart, Mr. Moussa Faki (May 6th, 2009) and reiterated France’s strong condemnation of the attack.

On the occasion of a private visit, President Idriss Deby met his French counterpart in Paris, on October 16th, 2009.

Given the magnitude of the crisis in Darfur and its regional implications, particularly in Chad, France has continued to take the initiative since 2007, seeking to create new dynamics around the following priorities:

 Seeking unity in the international community (regular consultations with our partners, including the United Nations Security Council).

 Supporting the search for a political solution to the Darfur crisis by supporting the efforts of UN/African Union co-mediation: supporting the “Doha” political process and implementing the March 2008 Dakar agreement mechanisms.

 Dealing with the crisis’ regional dimensions with regards to security and humanitarian and reconstruction assistance in Chad’s affected regions: France sponsored UNSC Resolution 1778, which decided the deployment of an international presence in eastern Chad and northeastern CAR. France was the primary contributor to EUFOR: providing 2,100 of the 3,700 soldiers, nine helicopters and the headquarters at Mont-Valérien. Beyond the crisis in Darfur, with the participation of twenty Member States, under Irish command, EUFOR Chad/RCA has been a success for the European Security and Defense Policy. France then supported the goal of having the UN take over from EUFOR (March 2009).

 Providing support for inter-Chadian political dialogue, for the 2010 elections: observer status, with the EU, within the August 13th, 2007 Agreement monitoring committee; support for the creation of a commission of inquiry to shed light on the events of February 2008 (France participated as an observer under the EU troika); France remains attentive to the implementation of the recommendations issued.

Updated on 30.09.11