European Union Military Operation in Chad and the Central African Republic

File:TFOB Guereda, 2009-02-24, bezpieczeństwo na południu strefy.jpg

File:Irish Army Ranger Wing Ford Special Recon Vehicle in Chad (4109830420).jpg on a special reconnaissance patrol in Chad (2008)]]

The operation headquarters was located in Mont Valérien, France, in a completely dedicated structure. The Force Headquarters was in N'Djamena and Abéché with forward bases in Goz Beïda (South), Farchana (Centre), Iriba (North) and a smaller one in Birao (CAR) ([http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cmsUpload/Situation_des_troupes_de_manoeuvres.pdf See map]). The multinational EU force commander was Irish Lieutenant General Patrick Nash. At its full operational capability, the force was 3,700 strong. France, the largest component of the EUFOR Tchad/RCA, provided a battalion of 2,000 soldiers and 500 support units. Other large contingents were the Irish and Polish – 450 and 400 strong, respectively. In addition to 14 European Union member states in the field, 19 in theatre and 22 at the operation headquarters (23 in total), three third countries took part in the mission: Albania, Croatia, and Russia.{{Citation | last = Council of the European Union | title = Council conclusions on operation EUFOR Tchad/RCA | place = Brussels | publisher = European Union | year = 2009 | url = http://www.consilium.europa.eu/App/NewsRoom/loadDocument.aspx?id=339&lang=EN&directory=en/gena/&fileName=106654.pdf |access-date=2010-04-15 }}

Neither Germany nor the United Kingdom deployed any troops on the ground, highlighting limited consensus on the mission among the big three member states despite the unanimous adoption and implementation of the Joint Action by the Council of the European Union. Denmark does not participate on the Common Security and Defence Policy and therefore did not take part in planning, financing and implementation of this mission.{{cite book | title= How the EU Organizes and Conducts Peace Operations in Africa EUFOR / MINURCAT. | first= Winrich | last= Kuehne | year= 2009 | publisher= Zentrum für Internationale Friedenseinsätze | url= http://www.zif-berlin.org/fileadmin/uploads/analyse/dokumente/veroeffentlichungen/EUFOR_Tchad__RCA_final_03_09.pdf | access-date= 15 April 2010 | archive-date= 7 October 2011 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111007101911/http://www.zif-berlin.org/fileadmin/uploads/analyse/dokumente/veroeffentlichungen/EUFOR_Tchad__RCA_final_03_09.pdf | url-status= dead }}

Contributors include (with number of troops committed):

• {{flagicon|Albania}} Albania – 60 troops
• {{flagicon|Austria}} Austria – 160 troops, 50 special forces of the Jagdkommando{{cite web|url=http://www.oe24.at/zeitung/oesterreich/politik/article167541.ece|title=Elite-Soldaten auf Tschad-Einsatz vorbereitet|language=de|date=22 November 2007|access-date=28 July 2008|publisher=oe24.at}}
• {{flagicon|BEL}} Belgium – 100 troops, 22 special forces of the Special Forces Group, one C-130 transport aircraft + airforce personnel
• {{flagicon|BUL}} Bulgaria – Two officers
• {{flagicon|CRO}} Croatia – 15 special forces (Special Operations Battalion){{cite web|url=http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1211207522.16 |title=Croatia to participate in EU force in Chad |date=19 May 2008 |publisher=EUbusiness |access-date=28 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829143220/http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1211207522.16/ |archive-date=29 August 2008 }}
• {{flagicon|EST}} Estonia – 55 troops
• {{flagicon|FIN}} Finland – 60 troops
• {{flagicon|FRA}} France – 2,000 troops, eight helicopters, 500 soldiers providing logistical support

name=dispel/>{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3ae062b8a3-f05d-4f87-b01a-85c8eabb4489|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322020318/http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3ae062b8a3-f05d-4f87-b01a-85c8eabb4489|archivedate=2012-03-22|title=France's Helping Hand in Uruzgan has a Price|website=Aviation Week & Space Technology ARES Defense Technology Blog|date=26 March 2008}}

• {{flagicon|GER}} Germany – Four[http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cmsUpload/081009_Force_Stength_by_Nations_in_AOO.pdf "Force Strength by Nation"], official Consilium Europa site, force strength as of 9 October 2008, accessed 15 October 2008
• {{flagicon|GRE}} Greece – Four
• {{flagicon|IRL}} Ireland – 450 troops, including 50 Army Ranger Wing (special forces) operatives and two helicopters[http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0221/chad.html?rss "50 Irish Troops arrive in Chad"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090728003022/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0221/chad.html?rss |date=28 July 2009 }}, RTÉ News, 21 February 2008{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0213/chad.html |title=RT? News: Irish troops to deploy to Chad next week |website=RTÉ.ie |access-date=2008-02-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213162945/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0213/chad.html |archive-date=13 February 2008 }}, RTÉ (Irish Radio & Television) News Report 13 February 2008
• {{flagicon|ITA}} Italy – 100 troops (Medical Role 2)
• {{flagicon|NED}} Netherlands – 60 Marines
• {{flagicon|POL}} Poland – 400 troops{{cite journal |last1=Przybylska-Maszner |first1=Beata |title=Udział Polski w operacjach wojskowych Unii Europejskiej w Afryce |url=http://cejsh.icm.edu.pl/cejsh/element/bwmeta1.element.ojs-doi-10_14746_pp_2016_21_3_1/c/7193-7220.pdf |journal=Przegląd Politologiczny |year=2016 |issue=3 |page=7 |access-date=2 February 2022|doi=10.14746/pp.2016.21.3.1}} 16 KTO Rosomak APCs,{{cite web|url=http://www.pkwczad.wp.mil.pl/pl/10_233.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091215041813/http://www.pkwczad.wp.mil.pl/pl/10_233.html|archivedate=2009-12-15|title=Informacje nt. misji w Czadzie|date=7 December 2009}} three Mi-17 helicopters and one C-295 transport aircraft.
• {{flagicon|Portugal}} Portugal – One C-130H with 30 Air Force personnel{{cite web|url=http://www.emfa.pt/www/detalhe.php?cod=035.078|title=Força Aérea em missão no Chade|publisher=Portuguese Air Force|language=pt|access-date=28 July 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080523182427/http://www.emfa.pt/www/detalhe.php?cod=035.078|archive-date=23 May 2008}}
• {{flagicon|ROM}} Romania – 120 troops
• {{flagicon|SLO}} Slovenia – 15 special forces (ESD) including one in EUFOR HQ in France{{cite web|url=http://slovenskavojska.si/dogodki_arhiv/200805/t20080527.htm|title=Slovenski vojaki že na območju delovanja v Čadu|publisher=Slovenian Army|language=sl|access-date=28 July 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080530205140/http://www.slovenskavojska.si/dogodki_arhiv/200805/t20080527.htm|archive-date=30 May 2008}}
• {{flagicon|Spain}} Spain – Two Tactical Transport Aircraft (CASA 295) with 100 troops[http://www.elpais.com/articulo/espana/Congreso/aprueba/envio/soldados/Chad/elpepuesp/20080529elpepunac_13/Tes "El Congreso aprueba el envío de 100 soldados a Chad"],El Pais, 29 March 2008.
• {{flagicon|SWE}} Sweden – 202 Swedish Marines and a small group from the Särskilda skyddsgruppen (SSG)
• {{flagicon|GBR}} United Kingdom – Four

The mission dealt with logistical difficulties from the beginning. Originally scheduled to be launched in November 2007, the mission was delayed by the lack of equipment and money and the preparations continued only after the French promised another 500 support units and 10 helicopters.IRIN. 2008. "CHAD: [http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76196 Dual peacekeeping mission seeks to dispel confusion]." IRIN, accessed 7 April 2010. Chad and the CAR are landlocked countries and the area of operation was on their eastern border (some 2,400 kilometres from the Atlantic coastline, of which only {{convert|900|km|mi|abbr=on}} could be crossed by rail). This required the use of harbours and territory of Cameroon and airlifting the rest to N'Djamena as the Abéché airport in the theatre was not considered safe.Seibert, Bjoern H. 2008. "[http://www.rusi.org/analysis/commentary/ref:C478F2F9354608/ EUFOR Chad/CAR: A Logistical Litmus Test] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716210640/http://www.rusi.org/analysis/commentary/ref%3AC478F2F9354608/|date=16 July 2011}}." Royal United Services Institute, accessed 15 April 2010. Major technical support, especially the transportation of daily needs of the troops (such as food and water), were provided by the permanent French mission to Chad.Gros-Verheyde, Nicolas. 2008. "[http://www.europolitics.info/dossiers/eufor-chad-car-mission/an-operation-with-a-complex-management-structure-art199067-58.html An operation with a complex management structure] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721202036/http://www.europolitics.info/dossiers/eufor-chad-car-mission/an-operation-with-a-complex-management-structure-art199067-58.html |date=21 July 2011 }}." Europolitics, accessed 15 April 2010. Deployment was not made any easier by limited infrastructure, the vastness of the area of operations, the inability of the government of Chad to provide basic supplies for the mission and the severe climate.

The logistical problems were highlighted by the fact that full operational capability (FOC) could not be declared until 15 September 2008, a full six months after the declaration of the initial operational capability and halfway through the mission. It was originally expected to be achieved by May.House of Commons. 2008. "[http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmeuleg/16-xxxiv/16xxxi14.htm European Union military operation in Chad and the Central African Republic] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605134004/http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmeuleg/16-xxxiv/16xxxi14.htm |date=5 June 2011 }}." European Scrutiny – Thirty-Eighth Report, accessed 15 April 2010. The mission also continued to struggle over airlift capabilities, partially settling the matter only in December with the deployment of Russian helicopters.Vogel, Toby. 2008. "[http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/imported/the-eu%E2%80%99s-lack-of-airlift-capabilities/61648.aspx The EU's lack of airlift capabilities]." European Voice, accessed 15 April 2010].

Apart from the logistical challenges, the mission also faced problems of its impartiality and distinction from other troops and staff on the ground, especially in Chad. There was a concern about sufficiently differentiating the regular French soldiers who serve in Chad under the bilateral defence agreement between the two countries, the MINURCAT personnel and the EUFOR troops (the majority of whom were also French). Also, explaining the different roles of those forces to the local population and briefing of the troops on the complexities of the region was a major task. Rebel groups even threatened to attack any foreign force which they do not see as neutral, a threat clearly directed against France's dual role in Chad. This reiterated fears that the mission might be seen as a protection of the N'djamena regime. But the president of Chad, Idriss Déby, also accused EUFOR of collaboration with the rebels after the brief outbreak of violence around Goz Beida in June 2008.France24. 2008. "[http://www.france24.com/en/20080617-chads-deby-accuses-eufor-helping-rebels-chad Chad's Deby accuses EUFOR of helping rebels] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618030250/http://www.france24.com/en/20080617-chads-deby-accuses-eufor-helping-rebels-chad |date=18 June 2008 }}." France24, accessed 15 April 2010]. The accusation arose mostly from the narrowness of the mandate – criticised by both humanitarian workers and the Chadian government – which was not designed to interfere in the internal affairs of Chad (or to significantly improve security and development in the area). Paradoxically, Déby's critique after the June incidents strengthened the perceived neutrality of the mission.

On 4 March 2008, two French soldiers in a soft-skinned Land Rover-type vehicle strayed 3 km into Sudan from Chad, and were fired upon by Sudanese forces. One of the soldiers was killed and reported missing while the other was wounded. Twelve French soldiers then entered Sudan to search for the missing soldier. They then came under fire, and fired back, killing one Sudanese soldier. The missing soldier's body was found by the Sudanese Army on 5 March, and was taken to Khartoum to be turned over to the French. However, one of the soldiers' grenades detonated as his body was being carried away, killing four Sudanese workers.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/06/world/africa/06chad.html?_r=1&oref=slogin|title=Sudan Finds Soldier Killed Near Border|work=The New York Times|date=6 March 2008|access-date=28 July 2008}}

The operation came slightly under budget at €119.6 million (comparing to the planned €120 million, but originally envisioned at €99.2 million).Watson, Rory. 2008. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20080130200831/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article3266793.ece Chad peacekeepers get Brussels green light]." The Times (UK), accessed 11 April 2010].European Union. European Security and Defence Policy. 2009. [http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cmsUpload/Final%20FACTSHEET%20EUFOR%20TCHAD-RCA%20version%209_EN.pdf EU Military Operation in Eastern Chad and North Eastern Central African Republic]. Brussels: European Union, accessed 15 April 2010. This, however, was only for the common costs of the operation (mostly construction and operation of the camps), financed through the EU mechanism for financing military operations (Athena). The real costs are estimated to be between €400 and €500 million.European Security and Defense Assembly. 2008. "[http://www.assembly-weu.org/en/documents/sessions_ordinaires/rpt/2008/2007.php The European Union mission in Chad: EUFOR Tchad/RCA] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090507183603/http://www.assembly-weu.org/en/documents/sessions_ordinaires/rpt/2008/2007.php |date=7 May 2009 }}." European Security and Defense Assembly, accessed 15 April 2010.

In addition to these common costs of the EU member states associated with the mission, the EU donated €10 million to MINURCAT to finance its programme to train, equip and support the deployment of Chadian police. The 10th European Development Fund also allocated almost €300 million and €137 million to Chad and the CAR, respectively, for the period 2008–2013.

• European Union Force
• CSDP missions, list of all interventions conducted by/through the EU.
• War in Chad (2005–2010)

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|EUFOR Tchad/RCA}}

• You want know more about the mission and receive news ? [http://www.bruxelles2.eu Bruxelles2.eu] and [http://club.bruxelles2.eu Le Club]
• US Army Strategic Studies Institute (SSI), [http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/download.cfm?q=1026 Operation EUFOR TCHAD/RCA and the EU's Common Security and Defense Policy.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408073353/http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/download.cfm?q=1026 |date=8 April 2018 }}, US Army War College, October 2010
• EU Institute for Security Studies, [https://web.archive.org/web/20120228225254/http://www.iss.europa.eu/uploads/media/ESDP_10-web.pdf European Security and Defence Policy: the first 10 years (1999–2009)], EUISS, October 2009
• Social Science Research Council (SSRC), [https://web.archive.org/web/20081013133156/http://www.ssrc.org/blogs/darfur/2008/09/25/uneu-midterm-review-on-chad-%E2%80%93-a-few-thoughts/ UN/EU Midterm Review on Chad – A Commentary], September 2008
• ISIS Europe, {{cite web |url= http://isis-europe.org/pdf/2008_artrel_148_esr37euforchad-mar08.pdf |title= EUFOR Tchad/RCA – A Cautionary Note |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090121140154/http://isis-europe.org/pdf/2008_artrel_148_esr37euforchad-mar08.pdf |archive-date= 21 January 2009 }} {{small|(114 KB)}}, European Security Review, March 2008
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080312032334/http://hdptcar.net/blog/2008/02/13/new-agenda-for-the-european-peace-keeping-mission-in-chad-and-car/ Humanitarian and development organizations in CAR blog monitoring detailed progress of EUFOR TCHAD/RCA and MINURCAT]
• [http://consilium.europa.eu/cms3_fo/showPage.asp?id=1366&lang=en Official EUFOR TCHAD/RCA website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080122052406/http://www.consilium.europa.eu/cms3_fo/showPage.asp?id=1366&lang=EN |date=22 January 2008 }}
• Alexander Mattelaer, {{cite web|url= http://www.ies.be/files/repo/IES%20working%20paper%205_Alexander%20Mattelaer.pdf |title=The Strategic Planning of EU Military Operations – The Case of EUFOR Tchad/RCA }} {{small|(3.4 MB)}}, IES Working Paper 5/2008, www.ies.be/WorkingPapers
• Bjorn Seibert, {{cite web|url= http://web.mit.edu/SSP/Publications/working_papers/WP_07-1.pdf |title=African Adventure?: Assessing the European Union's Military Intervention in Chad and the Central African Republic }} {{small|(2.04 MB)}}, MIT Security Studies Program Working Paper, November 2007
• Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies (RUSI), [https://web.archive.org/web/20081008001707/http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/ref%3AC478F2F9354608 EUFOR Chad/CAR: A Logistical Litmus Test], RUSI Analysis, January 2008
• EUFOR HQ in Abéché, Chad {{coord|13.8418|20.8370|type:landmark_scale:2000|display=inline}}, [https://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/11168718.jpg Panoramio]
• EUFOR HQ in N´Djamena, Chad {{coord|12.1432|15.0243|type:landmark_scale:2000|display=inline}}, [https://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/11185191.jpg Panoramio]

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