Chad ends repatriation of citizens from Central African Republic

Chad ended the operation to repatriate thousands of its citizens trapped in violence in Central African Republic, Prime Minister Kalzeube Payimi Deubet said on Wednesday. "Today, I can say that 99 percent of all our citizens who were living in Bangui and wished to return home have been repatriated," Deubet said. The repatriation operation has saved lives of thousands of lives of Chadian nationals and other foreigners, he said. The head of the Chadian government deplored the attack that occurred on Tuesday, about 50 km from Bangui, and another on Wednesday just a kilometer from the Bangui airport, where the attackers targeted security units helping to clear the way for passage of vehicles carrying civilians. "The repeated attacks targeting vehicles carrying defenseless persons cannot be justified," Deubet said. Since the end of December 2013, the Chadian government, with the support of its humanitarian partners has managed to repatriate over 60,000 of its citizens and other nationals. "The announcement of the end of repatriation operation does not exempt the government from its obligations vis-a-vis our citizens wherever they are found within the Central African Republic's territory. The government will continue to carry out its mandate and responsibilities each time need arises, anywhere where our citizens will be faced with danger," he said.