By KUNA
Brussels : The European Union firmly condemned Monday the recent rebel attacks against the government of Chad and renewed calls for dialogue to end the crisis. The Council of EU Foreign Ministers discussed here today the situation in Chad and in a statement expressed support to the initiative taken by the African Union to engage the parties to end fighting and its efforts aimed at seeking a lasting solution to the crisis.
The Council expressed “its deep concern regarding the regional ramifications of the conflict in Darfur and attempts of overthrowing the Chadian government .” In order to de-escalate the current confrontation, the Council called on the governments of Sudan and Chad to immediately stop supporting and equipping armed groups and to improve their relations. The EU ministers expressed full support to the 13 August 2007 Political Agreement set up with almost all political parties belonging to the legal opposition in Chad and said they consider this agreement, as the cornerstone of a broader road map leading to legislative elections in 2009. Moreover, the Council voiced its deep concern over the arrest of members of the unarmed political opposition in Chad, including Mr. Lol Mahamat Choua and called on President Deby to show restraint and immediately release these detainees.
EU foreign policy chief JavierSolana confirmed Thursday that the EU has resumed deployment of a peacekeeping force to Chad.
The deployment of the 3,700-strong EUFOR mission to Chad and the Central African Republic was suspended a few days after it began in January due to the fighting between troops loyal to President Idriss Deby and rebels opposed to him in the capital Ndjamena.