€10 million for stabilisation announced by Commissioner Louis Michel on a visit to Chad

IP/08/74

Brussels/N'Djamena, 22 January 2008

The aim of this programme, undertaken in conjunction with the deployment of EUFOR and MINURCAT, is to create propitious conditions for restoring peace, preventing future conflict and developing the region socially and economically (building of schools, hospitals, boreholes, etc.). By financing such rehabilitation, reconciliation and reconstruction measures to the tune of €10.1 million before the summer, the programme should make it possible for displaced persons to voluntarily return to their areas of origin.

On Monday the Commissioner visited the east of the country, Goz-Beida, where he announced that the civilian (MINURCAT) and military (EUFOR) deployments would be underpinned by substantial assistance, a "development package", in the first half of 2008. This development package will be supplemented by a support plan for the stabilisation of Eastern Chad.

The Development Commissioner Louis Michel declared: "Today I want to send a message of hope. Europe is mobilising in support of peace and development. Europe's solidarity with Africa is clear and tangible. Our stabilisation programme will help Chadians in their daily lives. And I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the progress made on the comprehensive political agreement inside Chad, which is essential to bring about stabilisation and reconciliation before transparent and free elections in 2009."

These efforts are additional to the current humanitarian aid operations (€30 million) and financing for the training of the Chadian police force, which will be responsible for security in the camps (€10 million from the stability instrument). All these measures (stabilisation plan, training for the police force, humanitarian operations) should bring about a tangible improvement in the life of the people of Eastern Chad.

Background

The EU is Chad's principal partner. There are close political and cooperation relations. Indeed it was in Chad, in 1966, that the European Commission opened its first delegation in an ACP country.

For the record, development cooperation with Chad has focused on roads, access to drinking water, the environment (Zakouma Park), public finances, support for refugees and health. The budget of the 9th European Development Fund (EDF) was €228 million over five years, that of the 10th EDF is €311 million over six years (2008-2013).

Since 2003 the European Commission has been providing aid for Sudanese and Central African refugees in Chad as part of its policy of humanitarian aid. Insecurity in Eastern Chad has led to the internal displacement of more than 180 000 people, who in turn have received substantial support from the European Commission. In 2007 the EC budget for humanitarian aid in Chad totalled €30.5 million.

The country is experiencing a difficult period in terms of both security, with rebel attacks and generalised insecurity in the East, and politics, with the need to consolidate the move towards democracy in Chad.

The deployment of MINURCAT and EUFOR is provided for in UN Security Council Resolution 1778 (2007): http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N07/516/15/PDF/N0751615.pdf?OpenElement

Reference to the previous press release on the subject: IP/07/1425