The Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States

At its 803^rd Meeting held at ACP House on 29 February 2008, the Committee of Ambassadors of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP Group):

Having received a detailed report from H.E. Mr. Maitine DJOUMBE on the situation in Chad, and in particular, the attacks perpetrated at the beginning of February 2008 by armed groups seeking to destabilise the legitimate Government of the Republic of Chad, and to seize power illegally;

Deplored the heavy loss in human lives and the devastation resulting from the attacks on the Chadian capital, Ndjamena, as well as in other parts of the country;

Strongly condemned the attempt to seize power by force and reaffirmed its rejection of any unconstitutional change of power, in accordance with the provisions of the Georgetown Agreement that created the ACP Group, and the essential elements included in the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000;

Urged the international community, in general, and the countries of Central Africa, in particular, to continue to promote respect for the unity and territorial integrity of Chad, and to strengthen cooperation so as to prevent the recurrence of such acts and thereby contribute to safeguarding regional security;

Reaffirmed that peace, security and stability are essential factors for sustainable development and the alleviation of poverty in ACP States; and

Decided to send a delegation from the ACP Committee of Ambassadors to Chad to express the Group’s solidarity with the Government and people of Chad, and to obtain information on the attacks perpetrated in Chad, so as to better determine the type of support the ACP Group could provide to the country.

Brussels, 7 March 2008