Sweden to contribute to the EU's military peace-support operation in Chad and Central African Republic

On 28 January, the EU Council of Ministers decided to launch an EU military peace-support operation in Chad and the Central African Republic. The operation will comprise a total of approximately 4 000 people who will be active in the area for a total of twelve months.

Sweden will contribute to the operation by providing a rifle company comprising approximately 200 people for six months.

With this operation, the EU - and Sweden - is making a very important contribution to a large-scale international commitment for security, stability and reconstruction in the region.

The EU operation is being carried out with a mandate from the UN Security Council and in close cooperation with the UN on the ground. The aim of the operation is to improve the security situation so as to enable refugees and internally displaced persons to return voluntarily. This is to be achieved by the EU force offering protection to refugees and civilians subjected to threats, making it easier for humanitarian workers to go about their work and creating opportunities for reconstruction and economic development in the area. The situation in eastern Chad and the north-eastern parts of the Central African Republic is closely linked to the situation in Darfur, Sudan.

In addition to Sweden, other countries taking part in the operation include Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Austria.