Troops to be withdrawn from UN mission in Chad

THE GOVERNMENT is going ahead with its plans to withdraw some 400 Irish troops from the United Nations (UN) mission in Chad after the deadline passed yesterday for any change of policy regarding the withdrawal.

Minister for Defence Tony Killeen had indicated the planned withdrawal could be reversed if the UN secured an extension to its mandate in Chad by yesterday.

However, a UN delegation which has been in the Chadian capital N’Djamena, has been unable to persuade the Chadian government to allow the peace enforcement mission, Minurcat, remain after the current mandate expires on May 15th.

In a statement last night, Mr Killeen said he had given the UN as much time as possible to secure a new mandate but that time was limited.

“The window of opportunity is gradually closing and work has already commenced on packing the equipment [in Chad],” Mr Killeen said.

“That said, the process has not reached a stage where it is irreversible.”

“At this time we have no information from the UN to indicate it may be closer to reaching a satisfactory outcome with the Chadian authorities which would provide a basis for reconsidering the decision to withdraw the Defence Forces from Chad.”

Defence Forces sources said logistical planning for the withdrawal of the troops and their kit, including a fleet of large vehicles and heavy plant, was already under way.

Contractors were being lined up to transport the equipment by rail and road to neighbouring Cameroon from where it will be shipped to Ireland.

“It would be a very, very big surprise if the plans were stopped at this stage,” said one source.

While the expiry of the current mandate is still more than one month away, planning for the withdrawal must begin immediately if the process is to be completed by mid May.

If the Irish were not out of Chad by that time the rainy season will have begun and roads used to transport equipment to Cameroon will be impassible.

Under national and internat-ional law, the Irish troops cannot remain in any overseas posting without a UN mandate.

The Chadian government has been in a position to add to its army, buy fighter jets and hire mercenary pilots since the original multinational peace enforcement mission was deployed to Chad just over two years ago.

The regime has now told the UN its force is no longer required and that it will not be granted permission to stay beyond the expiry of the current mandate.

The UN wants Minurcat to remain on to provide safety for hundreds of thousands of refugees and internally displaced persons who have fled fighting in the region and are now living in camps in Chad.

Announcing last week’s decision to withdraw the Irish contingent, Mr Killeen said the UN had for months been unable to provide the Government with even an informal indication that it expected the mission’s mandate to be extended.