U.N. takes over Chad force amid growing Darfur fears

Reuters ^ | March 15, 2009 | Moumine Ngarmbassa

[Tailgunner Joe]

The United Nations took over command of an EU protection force in eastern Chad on Sunday, and there were growing fears of more rebel violence and the possible arrival of tens of thousands more refugees from Sudan's Darfur.

The European Union formally handed over command to the U.N. mission in Chad and Central African Republic (MINURCAT) at a ceremony in Chad's eastern city of Abeche on Sunday morning after Eufor's year-long mandate expired at midnight.

The handover, which sees around 5,000 U.N.-commanded troops replace an EU force of close to 3,500, takes place at a time of heightened tension after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant this month against Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur.

Soon afterwards, four peacekeepers from the joint African Union-U.N. force in Darfur were injured in an attack by unidentified gunmen, and four aid workers including three foreigners were held hostage for much of last week by captors who North Darfur's governor said were protesting at the warrant.

"This transfer of authority comes at a delicate moment when tensions in the region are crystallising," said Alain Le Roy, U.N. head of peacekeeping.

Bashir's government expelled 13 aid organisations last week, hamstringing U.N. aid and raising fears that tens of thousands of refugees could abandon camps where they have been looked after and cross to Chad, where 250,000 Darfuris live in camps.

At the same time, fears are growing of a resurgence of Chad's interlinked eastern rebellion, which after causing the besieging of the capital N'Djamena for two days a year ago had been largely quiet until rebel groups announced a new broad alliance in January.

Sudan and Chad, both oil producers, frequently accuse each other of backing rebel groups based around the border area.

[Tailgunner Joe]

Irish troops don blue UN beret in Chad - March 15, 2009 - Switching command of the Chad peace enforcement mission from the EU to UN marks an historic day for the Defence Forces, its commander in the troubled African state said today.

As troops donned the familiar blue beret of the United Nations, Lieutenant Colonel Joe McDonagh said it was the first time the Irish were involved in a change of mission control.

The veteran soldier, who has served in nine overseas missions, is heading up the 439-strong Irish contingent in Chad’s volatile eastern flank, around 30 miles from the Sudanese border.

The troops are responsible for protecting refugees fleeing from the violence in Sudan as well as Chadians displaced by local unrest.

“On this occasion we are changing from European Union, or EUfor, to the United Nations and it is certainly significant and historic for us,” Lt Col McDonagh said, from the Irish camp in Goz Beida.

“Operationally it will bring no change.

“Our patrolling and operation tempo will remain the same ... the only changes you will see will be that we are wearing blue berets instead of our own national headdress the black berets”.

Defence Minister Willie O’Dea and Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Dermot Earley said Irish troops would be continuing their proud peace keeping tradition under the UN mission, known as MINURCAT. It is made up of 5,200 soldiers, 300 police, a host of civilian personnel and authorised to take all necessary measures to provide a secure and sustainable return of refugees and displaced persons.

Two senior Irish officers have been appointed to leading roles in the force - Brigadier General Gerald Aherne becomes Deputy Force Commander, based in the Chadian town of Abeche, while Colonel Brian Reade will take-over as Chief Operations Officer.

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VIDEO: EU Chad force to don blue helmets