Transfer of Authority between French Troops and Ghanaian Troops in Farchana

20 May 2009

Transfer of Authority between French Troops and Ghanaian Troops in Farchana

Farchana, 15 May 2009--A ceremony for the Transfer of Authority between French troops and Ghanaian troops took place in Farchana on Friday, 15 May 2009. A total of 200 Ghanaians freshly arrived in Chad as part of the UN Force in Chad and Central African Republic took over from a unit of 200 French soldiers.

The ceremony, which took place in the presence of local authorities and the military command of both French and Ghanaian contingents, was headed by the Deputy Force Commander of MINURCAT, General Gerard Aherne.

In his speech, General Aherne thanked the French troops for their role in laying the ground for the follow-on Force. "I wish to publicly commend the French troops for their contribution in Sector Centre, i.e., Farchana. The Force Commander and I fully understand that the mission of MINURCAT would have been a lot more difficult without the commitment of the French," the General said.

The 200 French elements will be leaving Chad on 29 May and 3 June 2009.