Continuous Presence in Chad to Tackle Security and Migration Problems at the Source

Hungary Today 2023.11.22.

The security of Chad is a priority for the Sahel region as a whole, but it is also in the interests of Hungary and Europe as a whole, said Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky on the Hungarian military mission in Chad. The minister received Dago Yacouba, Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Chad, reports Honvédelem.hu.

On November 6, parliament approved the launch of an independent Hungarian military mission to Chad in 2024. During their meeting in Budapest, the ministers held a detailed discussion on Hungary’s autonomous role in the African country and signed an agreement on military cooperation between the two countries.

Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky stressed that what is happening in the Sahel region is also reflected on Hungary’s borders, which is why Hungary must play an active role in preserving the stability of Chad.

The government is providing a complex package of assistance to Chad, including a military mission to the African country. This action is in line with the government’s commitment to tackle security and migration problems at the source, with a focus on prevention.

Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky added that the Hungarian Defense Forces have already participated in several missions abroad, but this will be the first time that they will be carrying out such a support mission independently, in cooperation with the Chadian armed forces.

A military contingent of the Hungarian Defense Forces of up to 200, or 400 in alternating periods, with the necessary equipment, will carry out advisory, support, and battlefield mentoring tasks in the territory of the Republic of Chad, protecting Hungarian citizens and Hungarian interests there, supporting the fight against terrorism.

The Hungarian soldiers will be stationed in Chad until December 31, 2025 and will participate in these activities as well as military tasks, in cooperation with allied international forces if required.

Dago Yacouba (L) and Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky (R). Photo via honvedelem.hu

Dago Yacouba, the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Chad, said that his country faces many challenges and needs the support of the European Union, Hungary, and Africa.

In his opinion, cooperation between Chad and Hungary is key to building peace.

Sahel region, Africa. Photo via Facebook/Tristan Azbej

Fact

With an area of nearly 1.3 million square kilometers, the Republic of Chad connects North and Central Africa and is the 20th largest country in the world, with 18 million inhabitants. In addition to the Sara ethnic group, accounting for a quarter of the population, many other ethnicities live in this African state with a diverse climate, with the Sahara Desert in the north, the Sahel belt in the center, and the Sudanian savanna in the south. Among Hungary’s international allies, France and the United States currently have a military presence in Chad.

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Via Honvedelem.hu, Featured image via Facebook/Azbej Tristan