Chadian rebel conflict threatens EU force: observers
NDJAMENA (AFP) — EU peacekeepers deploying to protect Darfur refugees face tough terrain in eastern Chad, where rebels fighting the African nation's government warn European troops against interfering in the conflict.
The 3,700-strong EU peacekeeping force launched Monday has a limited mandate that includes protecting refugees from Sudan's Darfur region, as well as people displaced by the insurgency in Chad and the northern Central African Republic.
But the conflict between Chad's government and rebels poses risks. Clashes have continued despite a peace accord signed last year between Ndjamena and rebel leaders.
Chad's air force on Tuesday attacked rebel positions in the east, after an Italian contingent of EU peacekeepers arrived in the capital.
The bombings occurred only about 50 kilometres (30 miles) from camps housing refugees from Darfur, located across Chad's eastern border, that EU troops will be charged with protecting.
Rebels accuse France, which will provide the bulk of the troops for the peacekeeping force, of helping Chad President Idriss Deby Itno in the conflict.
Chad is a former French colony, and France already has 1,100 soldiers there who provide logistic support and air reconnaissance for Ndjamena.
"If the French continue to support Deby under EUFOR, we will attack them," said rebel chief Abakar Tollimi, referring to the name given to the EU force.
However, the rebel chief said there would be no problem if the force sticks to its mission.
"We have always carefully avoided zones where civilians live," said Tollimi. "If EUFOR comes, as it says, to provide security for refugees and the displaced, we do not see any drawback in that."
An African diplomat said that "while the Europeans' mandate does not include putting themselves between the army and the rebels or protecting the border, the aim of creating a secure environment risks forcing them to intervene."
"By its simple presence, EUFOR will stabilise the situation ... and stabilise the east of Chad," the diplomat said. "That's what bothers the rebels."
Observers fear rebels could begin a new offensive before March, when the EU force is expected to be fully operational. Chad's opposition has warned against the risk of the force being taken "hostage" by the conflict between the army and rebels.
European military officials brush off those suggestions.
"The role of a military force is not to go into zones that are calm," a superior officer said. "If there is violence in the region, it is precisely a good reason to intervene."
For those caring for refugees, the EU force is long overdue.
About 234,000 Darfur refugees, along with 179,000 displaced eastern Chadians and 43,000 Central Africans also uprooted by strife and rebellion in the north of their country, are housed in camps in the region.
"Finally," said Serge Male, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees' representative in Ndjamena. "The HCR has asked for an international military presence for a year and a half."
He added that the force should "bring a little stability and security, and open some doors to allow for the displaced to return to their villages."
The EU force was meant to deploy in November but was delayed by a shortfall in troops and equipment and a funding row.
