Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The breaking of diplomatic relations with Chad by Sudan followed an attack on 11 May by rebels from the Justice and Equality Movement, JEM, on the outskirts of the Sudanese capital, Khartoum. The Sudanese government accused Chad of backing the JEM rebels.

The UN Mission in Chad, MINURCAT, was established under UN Security Council Resolution 1778 and its mandate is to help create the security conditions conducive to a voluntary, secure and sustainable return of refugees and displaced persons, inter alia, by contributing to the protection of refugees, displaced persons and civilians in danger, by facilitating the provision of humanitarian assistance in eastern Chad and the north-eastern Central African Republic and by creating favourable conditions for the reconstruction and economic and social development of those areas. MINURCAT provides security and protection for an estimated 400,000 refugees and internally displaced persons.

The EU military mission in Chad, EUFOR Tchad/RCA, was established under the same UN resolution and its mandate includes contributing to the protection of UN personnel, refugees and internally displaced persons.

As there is no cross-border dimension with Sudan to the MINURCAT mandate it is not expected that the breaking of diplomatic relations with Chad by Sudan will have an immediate significant adverse effect on the implementation of its mandate. However, the increase in tensions between Sudan and Chad is a matter of serious concern. Further rebel attacks in Chad in recent days have added to the already high tension. As Deputies will be aware, fighting took place over the weekend at Goz Beida near the Sudan-Chad border and Irish troops returned fire after being attacked, although there have been no reports of any Irish casualties.

The European Union has urged both Chad and Sudan to refrain from violent acts and providing support to each others' rebel groups. Diplomatic contact between the EU and both countries is continuing, including through the EU Special Representative for Sudan.

The UN Security Council on Monday last condemned in the strongest terms the attack conducted by Chadian armed groups since 11 June 2008.

In the longer term, the need to find a political settlement is the only hope for lasting peace between Chad and Sudan. Ireland will fully support any new African Union-United Nations mediation efforts to restore diplomatic ties and we will continue to monitor developments very closely.

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