MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Chad

18.5.2021 - (2021/2695(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 144 of the Rules of Procedure

Michael Gahler, Željana Zovko, Isabel Wiseler‑Lima, Sandra Kalniete, David McAllister, Andrey Kovatchev, Antonio López‑Istúriz White, György Hölvényi, Tom Vandenkendelaere, Sara Skyttedal, Miriam Lexmann, Loránt Vincze, Krzysztof Hetman, Vladimír Bilčík, Róża Thun und Hohenstein, Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska, David Lega, Seán Kelly, Romana Tomc, Magdalena Adamowicz, Tomáš Zdechovský, Peter Pollák, Christian Sagartz, Janina Ochojska, Loucas Fourlas, José Manuel Fernandes, Paulo Rangel, Stanislav Polčák, Inese Vaidere, Eva Maydell, Michaela Šojdrová, Stelios Kympouropoulos, Luděk Niedermayer, Jiří Pospíšil, Ioan‑Rareş Bogdan
on behalf of the PPE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B9-0290/2021

NB: This motion for a resolution is available in the original language only.

B9‑0295/2021

European Parliament resolution on on the situation in Chad

(2021/2695(RSP))

The European Parliament,

- having regard to previous resolutions on Chad and the Sahel region,

- having regard to the statement of 27 April by the Vice-President / High Representative Josep Borrell on the situation in Chad,

- having regard to the 19 April Council conclusion on the EU’s integrated strategy in the Sahel region,

- having regard to the 30 April OHCHR Press briefing notes on Chad,

- having regard to Situation report on Chad by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs of 4 May,

 

- having regard to the Communiqué by the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers of 5 May,

- having regard to the meeting on 14 May of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC),

- having regard to the press release by African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights of 29 April 2021 entitled “Situation des droits de l’homme au Tchad”

- having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

- having regard to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights,

- having regard to the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance,

- having regard to the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,

- having regard to the second revision of the Cotonou Agreement,

 

- having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas on 20 April the Chadian President Idriss Déby Itno, who had been in power for 31 years, died in a military confrontation with rebel groups one day after having been declared the winner of the 11 April presidential elections;

B. whereas following the death of President Déby, the army installed a “National Council of Transition” (TMC), composed of military officers; whereas arguing an exceptional security situation the TMC, suspended the constitution, dissolved the Government and National Assembly, installed the son of late-President Déby, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, as head of the TMC and interim head of state,

C. whereas the TMC announced an up to 18-month transition during which an inclusive dialogue should redraft the constitution and organise new elections;

D. whereas after the actions by the TMC demonstrations by political opposition parties and civil society organisations on 27 April were met with security force crackdowns that led to at least nine deaths and several dozen injuries and numerous arrests,

E.  whereas the TMC on 2 May nominated a government, headed by Albert Pahimi Padacke as Prime Minister,

F. whereas the government by PM Padacke, while containing two important opposition parties, was criticised by other opposition and civil society actors;

G. whereas the military confrontation with rebel groups such as the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT), has been intensified since this years’ elections; whereas the Chadian army has recently claimed to have defeated the FACT;

H. whereas VP/HR Josep Borrell’s stressed the role of President Déby in regional security and noted the importance of returning soon to the constitutional order and underline the importance of holding elections:

I. whereas the African Union (AU) on 14 May held a meeting of its Political Affairs Peace and Security Council (PAPS) focused on the situation in Chad;

J. whereas Chad plays an important role for regional security, notably through the G5 Sahel Joint Forces;

K. whereas Chad, given its challenging neighbourhood, with insecurity stemming from conflicts in all its neighbouring states, notably Libya, Sudan, Niger and the Central African Republic, is indispensable for the security of African continent, in particular of the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin;

L. whereas Chad is one of the poorest country in the world, and has one of the lowest UN Human Development Index;

M. whereas a credible transition process to a democratic government, based on free and fair elections, could open the way towards a closer cooperation with the EU and other international actors;

N. whereas the European Union over the last 5 years has allocated €542 million to Chad for supporting the implementation of reforms;

1. Expresses its severe concern about the situation in Chad, and the recent loss of life; emphasises the importance of a civilian government and calls upon all actors to refrain from further violence and seek a process of dialogue and mediation;

 

2. Highlights the importance of democratic principles, free and fair elections, respect for human rights, the rule of law and media freedom and underlines that they are necessary for a sustainable economic, social and political development of Chad and the region as a whole;

3. Calls on the TMC to respect its own declarations and to lead an inclusive and integrative process which must fully include actors from all parts of the society and political parties; emphasises that this process must lead to free and fair elections as soon as possible; calls on the TMC to free all those imprisoned in recent demonstrations and ensure full respect of human rights, including the rights for a free media and free expression of opinions;

4. Supports the efforts by the African Union and other regional organisations in ensuring a peaceful, stable and democratic solution to the current crisis;

5. Believes that the current process, must aim to address the systemic challenges Chad has faced for the past decades, among other economic stagnation and limitation to civil and human rights;

6. Points to the important role of Chad for regional stability and welcomes its prominent role in the G5-Sahel;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice‑President of the European Commission/High Representative of the Union for

Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member

States, the African Union, and the interim government of Chad.