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Chad state of emergency imposed Chad state of emergency imposed
(about 1 hour later)
A state of emergency has been imposed on three regions in Chad after ethnic clashes resulted in at least 20 deaths.A state of emergency has been imposed on three regions in Chad after ethnic clashes resulted in at least 20 deaths.
Restrictions will be in place for 12 days in the eastern regions of Ouaddai and Wadi Fira and the northern region of Borkou, Ennedi and Tibesti.Restrictions will be in place for 12 days in the eastern regions of Ouaddai and Wadi Fira and the northern region of Borkou, Ennedi and Tibesti.
Earlier, the EU approved the sending of 3,000 peacekeepers to the region.Earlier, the EU approved the sending of 3,000 peacekeepers to the region.
The ethnic violence has been inflamed by a four-year conflict across the border in Darfur. This which has seen some 200,000 Sudanese flee into Chad. The ethnic violence has been inflamed by a four-year conflict across the border in Darfur. This has seen more than 200,000 Sudanese flee into Chad.
The Zaghawa tribe, to which Chad's President Idriss Deby belongs, accuses the Sudanese government of supporting members of the rival Tama tribe.The Zaghawa tribe, to which Chad's President Idriss Deby belongs, accuses the Sudanese government of supporting members of the rival Tama tribe.
Inter-ethnic strife
Tensions between the Zaghawa and the Tama have been high for many years.Tensions between the Zaghawa and the Tama have been high for many years.
Hopes of an end to the violence were raised recently when former Tama rebel leader Mahamat Nour joined President Deby's government as defence minister.Hopes of an end to the violence were raised recently when former Tama rebel leader Mahamat Nour joined President Deby's government as defence minister.
But Mr Nour is now accusing the Zaghawas of starting the fresh round of violence.But Mr Nour is now accusing the Zaghawas of starting the fresh round of violence.
"Nobody can accept seeing their relatives massacred before their eyes," Mr Nour said on national radio.
"The Tama problem is a real problem, people are dying in their hundreds. All they had as cattle has been rustled."
EU involvement
The ongoing instability in the region prompted the EU on Monday to authorise the establishment of a 3,000-strong, UN-backed peacekeeping force to maintain order.The ongoing instability in the region prompted the EU on Monday to authorise the establishment of a 3,000-strong, UN-backed peacekeeping force to maintain order.
"The Council decided that the EU will conduct a bridging military operation in Eastern Chad and North Eastern Central African Republic (Eufor TCHAD/RCA) in the framework of the European security and defence policy," said the EU Council.
The EU force will be made up predominantly of French troops and is expected to start its deployment in November.The EU force will be made up predominantly of French troops and is expected to start its deployment in November.
The head of the operation will be an Irish general based in Paris, whereas troops on the ground will be headed by a French general.