EUFOR TCHAD/RCA

The EU has decided to conduct a bridging military operation in Eastern Chad and North Eastern Central African Republic (EUFOR TCHAD/RCA) in the framework of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).

In deciding to conduct this operations the EU is stepping up its longstanding action in support of efforts to tackle the crisis in Darfur as part of a regional approach to that crisis.

In its resolution 1778 (2007) of 25 September 2007, the UN Security Council approved the establishment of a UN Mission in Chad and the Central African Republic (MINURCAT) and authorised the EU to deploy forces in these countries for a period of 12 months from the declaration of Initial Operating Capability.

At its meeting of 15 and 16 October 2007, the Council appointed Lieutenant General Patrick NASH as EU Operation Commander.

EUFOR TCHAD/RCA will be an interim operation designed to support the multi-dimensional United Nations presence in the East of Chad and in the North-East of the CAR in order to improve security in those regions. More specifically, the EU operation will have the following objectives:

To contribute to protecting civilians in danger, particularly refugees and displaced persons;
To facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and the free movement of humanitarian personnel by helping to improve security in the area of operations;
To contribute to protecting UN personnel, facilities, installations and equipment and to ensuring the security and freedom of movement of its staff and UN and associated personnel.

The Council of the EU
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/cms3_fo/showPage.asp?id=1366〈=en