EU/CHAD:THE EU-FOR humanitarian mission to Chad should be replaced by a 6,000-strong UN military force, according to a report prepared by UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon, writes Jamie Smythin Brussels.
But the EU mission, which includes 450 Irish troops, may have to remain in place for a limited period to ensure that there is no gap in the deployment of the UN troops.
"I firmly believe that an expanded United Nations presence with a military component would best support the protection and return of refugees and internally displaced persons," says Mr Ban in a 19-page report to be debated at the UN in New York today.
The report includes the findings of a recent mid-term review of the EU-For mission, which found that the security situation has deteriorated in eastern Chad over the past six months despite the deployment of the EU troops.
"Carjackings, armed robberies and crime targeting national and international humanitarian staff continue regularly. So far in 2008 six humanitarian aid workers have been killed and 107 security incidents involving humanitarian workers have been reported," it says.
The report also says that the refugee camps have become increasingly militarised in the past year. Reports of armed men and heavy arms in the camps, "as well as recruitment of children and young adults, are a cause of deep concern".
The midterm review says EU-For is beginning to have a positive effect in deterring security threats. However, the accompanying UN police and military mission is still in the early stage of deployment and, consequently, it is difficult to judge how they would work in tandem.
"In the meantime, however, humanitarian access has decreased as security conditions have forced aid workers to limit operations."
The report says a 6,000-strong UN force should replace EU-For from March next year, exactly one year after the EU mission began. But it notes that there may need to be a transition period during which EU-For would remain on the ground to ensure there is no gap in deployment. The UN will debate the issue today.