Special Forces
The people of Chad are among the most destitute on earth, eighty percent survive on under a dollar a day. The Sudanese refugees, fleeing Darfur into eastern Chad, have even less and their numbers have swelled to over 250,000. It is a noble effort to try and provide for these displaced victims, and tonight Ireland will send the first of it’s military contingent to help in this mission.
The European Union and the United States are Chad’s largest trading partners. Until 2004 the largest export commodity for Chad was cotton, that has changed because of heavy investment in untapped oil reserves that began in 2000, and now oil is the basis for it’s largest revenue. In neighbouring Sudan, who are also awash with oil, their major trading partner is China who supplies weapons for oil. Africa has vast amounts of valuable natural resources and they are controlled by the least stable governments.
Chad has the fastest growing economy on earth due to their sudden oil production. With these revenues President Deby is building his military capabilities to solidify his power. Chad spends 4.2% of GDP on weapons procurement and military enhancement, compared to Ireland’s 0.9%, the UK’s 2.4%, and France’s 2.6%, it is an extremely high amount considering the needs of the population. France’s role in the region has been questioned and they are accused of flying in arms for Deby’s regime from Libya, the United States has Navy S.E.A.L.’s training the dictators troops, and the funding comes from the Trans Saharan Counter Terrorism Partnership, what exactly are we getting involved with?
The EUFOR commitment to Chad and the Central African Republic is sanctioned by a UN mandate and has been strictly interpreted as a peace enforcing mission. Was our involvement mandated by the EU or did Bertie Ahern volunteer the Irish forces? Why isn’t the location for peaceful intervention within the borders of Darfur as suggested by Edward Horgan, COMDT (ret)? The Irish Army Rangers are trained and equipped for confrontation; but, there are serious questions afoot that need answering.
- Politics, Culture, Caoimhin, Irish Culture, Irish Politics, Honesty, misc, All posts, Conflict, Media and Journalism, freedom, World | Time: 4:03 pm (UTC+8)
Wow, forget all the other information - I’m still stuck on the fact that they survive off of a DOLLAR a day!!! Unimaginable!!
Comment by kimbathewhitelioness — February 22, 2008 @ 3:34 am
Thank you for that information. Trading oil for weapons is so sad when there are so many other items those country’s residents need. Imagine surviving on a so little a day. I have recently started striving to learn more about Africa. Also, recently I watched a show on how workers in Vietnam who work for Nike only make two dollars a hour. So sad.
Comment by Sharon — February 24, 2008 @ 1:37 am
Thank you for the comments! There is no distribution of wealth in these countries, there are millions of internally displaced people in Sudan and Chad as with other Sub Saharan nations, and for the UN to support these corrupt governments will only lead to more suffering. These people do not want charity, only a say in what is naturally theirs.
Comment by Administrator — February 24, 2008 @ 10:01 am
You know, I was thinking about that last week. One thing I don’t understand is why France or the USA are so willing to support/aid such horrendous military regimes, is oil their sole reasoning? I don’t think so.
Another thing that infuriates me is exactly the point you made, what are Irish troops doing in Chad? I am all for them protecting the ten of thousands of people seeking refuge along the border of Darfur. Our former president Mary Robinson has campaigned tirelessly to highlight the plight of these people, men and women who live in constant fear of their lives and the lives of their children. Surely it would serve a much greater good to protect the lives of the innocent. The ability to export oil could have propelled Chad to a developed, civilised nation, yet we the wealthy west go ahead and support one of the most backward and inhumane regimes the modern world has seen.
Comment by Nonny — February 24, 2008 @ 9:36 pm
You’ve raised the important question Nonny, why Chad and why now? It appears to be a humanitarian effort and that is how it was proposed to the UN. What it in fact does is it prevents Deby’s government forces from being spread out into the eastern regions and allows him to consolidate his forces around the capitol. EUFOR may indeed provide protection for the refugees and UN Aid agencies; but, it also puts mechanised armed forces at the Sudanese border. Under the UN mandate this army is allowed to engage in missions within the area of operations that could include crossing over into Sudan to protect those under threat. The potential for escalation is great, our government has been either duped into this situation or is complicit in it’s undertaking. There should be many questions raised by the Irish people, why isn’t there?
Comment by Administrator — February 24, 2008 @ 10:27 pm