# EU resumes military support to Chad

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2023/11/eu-resumes-military-support-to-chad/
- Published: 2023-11-28T09:08:28+01:00
- Author: Ekene Lionel

The European Union (EU) has resumed its military aid to Chad after a period of suspension
due to a diplomatic row between the Chadian junta and Germany. The EU is planning
to provide €12m to support the [Chadian Armed Forces (FAT)](https://www.military.africa/2020/01/the-five-chadian-weapons-of-war-nigeria-is-terrified-of)
in the south of the country, where they are facing security challenges from rebel
groups and cross-border threats.

The EU’s decision to relaunch its military aid project comes as a sign of improved
relations with the Chadian transitional authorities, led by Mahamat Idriss Déby,
who took power in April following the death of his father, Idriss Déby Itno, in 
a battle with rebels. The EU had frozen its military assistance to N’Djamena in 
early April, after the Chadian government expelled the German ambassador to Chad,
Jan-Christian Gordon Kricke, accusing him of disrespect and lack of diplomatic etiquette.
The EU condemned the move as a “hostile gesture” and expressed its concern over 
the lack of a clear roadmap for a democratic transition in Chad.

Also, at the time, Chads plans to modernize it’s [US-donated Cessna 208 aircraft f](https://www.military.africa/2018/02/us-donates-cessna-208-isr-to-chadian-and-cameroonian-air-force/)
aced stiff resistance from the Belgium government which are worried over Chad’s 
spotty human rights track record. The [Belgian government cited ](https://www.military.africa/2023/02/belgium-delays-chads-plans-to-arm-its-cessna-208-aircraft/)
the brutal repression of demonstrations last October by Chadian security forces 
that left around fifty people dead.

However, in recent weeks, the Chadian junta has shown some signs of openness towards
the opposition and civil society, as well as regional and international partners.
One of the most prominent opposition figures, Succès Masra, the leader of the Les
Transformateurs movement, returned to Chad on 3 November after more than a year 
in exile. He had been subject to an international arrest warrant issued by N’Djamena,
but he reached an agreement with the transitional authorities on 1 November, with
the mediation of the Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi.

The EU’s military aid package for Chad is part of the European Peace Facility (EPF),
a new instrument that allows the EU to finance military and defence-related activities
in partner countries. The [EPF has a budget of €5bn for the period 2021-2027](https://www.military.africa/2020/05/war-economy-eu-approves-eur190-million-to-support-sahel-allies/)
and aims to enhance the EU’s role as a global actor in peace and security. The EPF
will fund several projects for the Chadian army in the Chari-Baguirmi region, such
as the provision of equipment, training, infrastructure and logistics. The EU hopes
that this support will help the FAT to improve their operational capacity and professionalism,
as well as to respect human rights and international humanitarian law.

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The EU considers Chad as a key partner in the Sahel region, where it is engaged 
in several initiatives to promote stability, development and governance. The EU 
supports the [G5 Sahel Joint Force](https://www.military.africa/2020/01/the-pullout-chadian-troops-withdraw-from-nigeria/),
a regional security mechanism composed of Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania and
Niger, which aims to combat terrorism and organised crime in the area. The EU also
participates in two military missions in the Sahel: EUTM Mali, which provides training
and advice to the Malian armed forces, and EUCAP Sahel Niger, which supports the
Nigerien security sector reform. In addition, the EU is a major donor of humanitarian
and development aid to the Sahel countries, including Chad.

[Chad’s efforts to forego it’s traditional suppliers for Western and European arms](https://www.military.africa/2021/05/chad-looks-towards-west-for-military-modernization/)
in order to reinforce the legitimacy of General Itno Déby regime seems not to be
going according to plans.

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Last year, the [European Union ended ](https://www.military.africa/2022/04/eu-ends-military-training-in-mali-but-maintains-presence-in-sahel/)
some of it’s military training commitments in Mali due to continued cooperation 
between Russian mercenaries and Mali’s junta. But the EU says it remains committed
to the region.

“We are halting the training missions for the (Malian) armed forces and national
guard,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told a media conference on Monday 
in Brussel, but added: “The Sahel remains a priority. We’re not giving up on the
Sahel, far from it. We want to commit even more to that region.”

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