Irish troops join European force in eastern Chad

May 21, 2008 (DUBLIN) — First batch composed of fifty Irish troops arrived in Chad to take part in the European Union peacekeeping force tasked to protect Darfur refugees in eastern Chad. More other 400 Irish soldiers will join the European force soon.

The EURFOR aims to protect some 400,000 displaced people in eastern Chad, including many whose villages have been destroyed by the mounted Janjaweed militia from across the Sudanese border in Darfur.

Over the border, Sudanese government troops and allied Janjaweed militia fighters are pitted against Darfur rebel groups in a 5-year-old conflict that experts estimate has killed 300,000 people and forced 2.5 million from their homes.

Sudanese government criticised the deployment of the European force saying it means to protect the Chadian government more than to protect Darfur refugees. Following an attack by the Sudanese rebel Justice and equality Movement on the capital Khartoum, Sudan also accused the force of complicity with the rebels.

However, France denied in the past any intention to turn this force into an offensive operation “against whatever enemy.”

But with the growing regional instability and the constant tension between Sudan and Chad observers agree that it is difficult for it to remain neutral.

(ST)