Though the medical mission has ended in Chad, the government will provide assistance to its people.Continue reading
Hungary is launching a military mission to Chad in order to curb migration and provide humanitarian aid, Minister of Defense Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky announced at a press conference.
As the minister said, we are living in an era of threats, reports honvedelem.hu. “We are witnessing the second serious armed conflict and millions of migrants are pouring into Europe from Africa, the Middle East, and Afghanistan,” he noted, stressing that along with immigration, terrorism is also a threat to Europe.
Minister of Defense Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky. Photo: MTI/Lakatos Péter
Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky said that Chad, located in the Sahel region in the middle of Africa, had a key role to play in curbing migration from Africa. He continued: “The region has seen an increase in terrorist activity in recent weeks and months, and Chad is the only stable state in the region, hosting large numbers of refugees from other African countries.”
If Chad also becomes unstable, we could witness a migratory floodgate that could send hundreds of millions more on their way to Europe,”
he warned.
The Hungarian government is working to get aid to where it is needed, “not to bring trouble here,” he said. “Hungary has been speaking out in Brussels from the very beginning to stop migration and protect borders,” he stated, adding that despite eight years of inaction, migrants continue to pour in along the migration routes. “The problem is getting worse. So we need to help,” the Minister urged.
On the planned military role, he said that
Hungary is offering Chad a complex package of assistance, including humanitarian aid, a medical mission, and support for agricultural development. Furthermore, the mission, launched at the invitation of the Chadian president, aims to help stop migration, fight terrorism, and ensure the safe operation of local development.
In doing so, it will strengthen the security of Hungary and Europe, he explained.
He also pointed out that U.S. and French forces are present in Chad, but that the Hungarian mission will be an “independent engagement.” The minister emphasized that the parliamentary proposal for a decision on the mission planned for 2024, would be submitted early next week. He added that if the parliament approves the proposal, the targeted training of at least 200 personnel will begin.
Via Honvédelem.hu, Featured image: Facebook/Hungary Helps – Magyarország segít