Only 8 days left: Act now to protect civilians in Eastern Chad

Hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people living in eastern Chad, including more than 450,000 Sudanese refugees from Darfur and internally displaced Chadians, are at risk if the UN mission in Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) leaves or no longer has a mandate to protect civilians.

The current MINURCAT mandate is due to expire on 15 May 2010. The government of Chad already announced that an agreement has been reached with the UN to reduce the number of troops to 1,900 and to conclude the full withdrawal of MINURCAT by October 2010.

Human rights violations, including rape and other violence against women and recruitment of child soldiers continue. The Chadian authorities are unable and/or unwilling to protect people living in eastern Chad.

MINURCAT has been providing some protection to those people despite difficulties in its deployment since March 2009. If MINURCAT leaves, the level of violence and human rights abuses will increase.

The UN Security council must ensure the protection of civilians in eastern Chad by renewing the mandate of MINURCAT and ensuring that it has the mandate and resources to protect civilians.

Take action now by sign this petition asking President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, to take the lead at the UN Security Council to ensure the mandate of MINURCAT is renewed.

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This is His Excellency The President of the republic of Kenya 2040