United Nations and Chadian officials agreed on a major initial reduction of peacekeepers there after the Government had called for the withdrawal of the UN mission's military component. The 3351 troops now stationed in the African country as part of UN Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT), set up over two years ago amid increasing unrest, partly due to the war in neighbouring Sudan's Darfur region and consequent influx of hundreds of thousands of refugees, will be downsized to 1,900 as a first stage, the mission spokesman Penangnini Touré said in N'Djamena, the Chadian capital.
In calling for the end of the military component in February, Chad said the force had served its purpose. With new agreements on border security with Sudan, and with MINURCAT not strong enough to provide complete security in eastern Chad, it was better for Chadian forces to take over and for the mission's mandate to be adjusted, Chadian Permanent Representative Ahmad Allam-mi told a news conference at UN Headquarters that month.
“The Government took note of the full range of responsibilities associated with the protection of civilians in accordance with international law,” Mr. Touré said of today's talks, the third in a series on the mandate and future configuration of MINURCAT. “The Government is expected to fully assume these responsibilities starting 16 May 2010.
The results of the talks are to be presented to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and through him to the Security Council for a final decision.