Summary: 28 January 2008, Brussels - On 28 January 2008, the EU decided to launch a bridging military operation in Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR) (operation "EUFOR Tchad/RCA") in accordance with the mandate set out in UN Security Council Resolution 1778 (2007). This operation comes within the framework of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).
In deciding to conduct this operation the EU is stepping up its longstanding action in support of efforts to tackle the crisis in Darfur as part of a regional approach to that crisis.
This operation will be conducted with the agreement of the Chadian and Central African governments.
In its resolution 1778 of 25 September 2007, the UN Security Council approved the establishment of a UN Mission in Chad and the Central African Republic (MINURCAT) and authorised the EU to deploy forces in these countries for a period of 12 months from the declaration of Initial Operating Capability.
EUFOR Tchad/RCA will be a bridging operation which will closely coordinate with the multi-dimensional United Nations presence in the East of Chad and in the North East of the CAR in order to improve security in those regions. More specifically, the EU operation will have the following objectives:
- To contribute to protecting civilians in danger, particularly refugees and displaced persons;
- To facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and the free movement of humanitarian personnel by helping to improve security in the area of operations;
- To contribute to protecting UN personnel, facilities, installations and equipment and to ensuring the security and freedom of movement of its staff and UN and associated personnel.
EUFOR Tchad/RCA will be a demanding operation in particular with respect to the situation on the ground, the vast area to be covered and the logistical constraints.
The EU operation will include around 3,700 troops. It is the most multinational military operation conducted in Africa by the EU so far:
- 14 EU Member States will be present in the field (Chad/CAR);
- 22 EU Member States are present at the Operations Headquarters (OHQ)
Lt General Patrick NASH (Ireland) has been appointed EU Operation Commander. Brigadier General Jean-Philippe GANASCIA (France) has been appointed EU Force Commander.
The EU Operational Headquarters (OHQ ) is located at Mont Valérien (France).
The EU military operation will have an appropriate mandate allowing the use of armed force if necessary. It will be independent, impartial and neutral.
The common costs budget for the EU military operation stands at EUR 119,6 million.
The establishment of EUFOR TCHAD/RCA forms part of a comprehensive package of enhanced EU commitment to a solution to the crisis in Darfur. All EU instruments - diplomatic, political and financial - will be mobilised in support of this effort. The main components, all interlinked, will comprise:
- increased support for African Union (AU) and UN efforts to revitalise the political process with a view to finding a lasting solution;
- speeding up establishment of UNAMID in Darfur;
- increased mobilisation to finance humanitarian aid, but also to secure humanitarian access.
In this regard, the European Commission, intends to implement transitional programmes of recovery and rehabilitation, covering reconciliation oriented activities, support for the voluntary return of displaced persons and rehabilitation in their places of origin, and support for local governance. In Chad, the EU, through the European Commission, will contribute substantially to the UN programme for the establishment of the UN police force, which will train and equip Chadian police officers as
well as deploy them in the refugee and IDP camps in eastern Chad. In north-eastern CAR, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities will be undertaken.
These measures will be continued within the strategic framework of the 10th EDF (European Development Fund), which will allocate EUR 299 million to Chad and EUR 137 million to CAR over a five-year period.
Fore more information:www.consilium.europa.eu/eufor-tchad-rca
www.consilium.europa.eu/esdp
CVs
Lieutenant General Patrick (Pat) NASH
Operation Commander EUFOR TCHAD/RCA
Nationality
Irish
Education
Lieutenant General Nash received his secondary education at CBS Limerick. He is a graduate of the Irish Defence Forces Command and Staff School and he has completed a United Nations Senior Management Course in Stockholm and New York.
Professional experience
Home Service: Lieutenant General Pat Nash was commissioned into the Cavalry Corps in Sept 1966. From commissioning up until 1994 he spent most of his service in the Southern Command, holding both command and staff appointments in a number of Cavalry and Infantry Units. On promotion to Colonel in June 2000 he was appointed Director of Defence Forces Administration, responsible for the planning and implantation of Defence Forces Personnel Administration programmes, Defence Forces Financial
planning and Defence Forces Logistics planning.
He was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in Jan 2002 and appointed to the position of General Officer Commanding, First Southern Brigade. The First Southern is one the Defence Force's three territorial Brigades. On 3 December 2005 Lieutenant General Nash took up the appointment as Deputy Chief Operations, has responsibility for Defence Forces Operations including overseas operations, Defence Forces Training and Reserve Forces and Military Intelligence.
Overseas Service: Lieutenant General Nash has a wide range of overseas experiences primarily with United Nations Forces, but also with the European Union Monitoring Mission in the Western Balkans. He has served as a Troop Commander in United Nations Force in Cyprus in 1967. He was a Company Commander with the 54 Irish Infantry Battalion, United Nations Interim Force (UNIFIL) in Lebanon in 1983 and Operations Officer with the 71 Irish Infantry Battalion UNIFIL in 1992. In 1996 he served
as a Staff Officer at the Headquarters of the European Union Monitoring Mission in the Western Balkans. In 1999 he commanded the 85 Irish Infantry Battalion in UNIFIL (Lebanon).
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Brigadier General Jean-Philippe GANASCIA (France)
Force Commander EUFOR Tchad/RCA
Brigadier General GANASCIA was born on 18 July 1953. He attended Saint Cyr Military Academy from 1975-1977 and completed special to arm training at the Engineer School at Angers in 1978 after which, he took command of an Engineer platoon. He has served with Parachute and Foreign Legion Units and commanded a Foreign Legion Engineer Regiment.
He has held staff appointments in Regiment, Division, Corps, Land Command and MOD level in the intelligence, operations and training fields.
He has participated in operations in the Lebanon, in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Kosovo.
He was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General on 1 September 2006.
He is Deputy Commander, French Joint Force and Training HQ.
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