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.
PA