Hungary has announced plans to deploy a military contingent of 400 personnel to Chad, marking a strategic move to address issues related to migration, counterterrorism efforts, and provide economic and humanitarian assistance. The Hungarian Minister of Defense, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, revealed this decision, emphasizing the multifaceted objectives of the mission.
The Hungarian parliament granted approval on November 6, 2023, following a resolution presented by Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky on October 25, 2023. The deployment, set to begin in March 2024, comes at the request of the Chadian Transitional Government, with President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno officially seeking Hungarian assistance in September 2023.
The mission aims to contribute to halting migration, support counterterrorism efforts, and create a secure environment for implementing Hungary’s assistance program, “Hongrie Helps.” The Hungarian Defense Ministry underscores Chad’s stability in the volatile Sahel region, making it a focal point for a comprehensive assistance program encompassing economic, humanitarian, and social elements.
Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky emphasized Hungary’s commitment to address issues at their source rather than transferring them to Europe, stating that the decision to support Chad reflects a strategic approach to managing challenges where they arise. As of now, there has been no official statement from N’Djamena regarding Hungary’s military deployment.