UN clears way for European troops to enter Central African Republic
- 10 years ago
The UN Security Council has approved the deployment of European troops to the Central African Republic as violence worsens between Christians and Muslims.
The Council fears the conflict in the former French colony risks spiraling into genocide.
The French UN ambassador, Gerard Araud said:
“We really do need the arrival of the European forces because contingent for the moment has been largely committed to the protection of the 100,000 IDPs who have taken refuge on the airport.”
On the ground, the main camp of the Muslim Séléka militia in Bangui has been moved to another place.
It is part of an effort to quell the bloodshed and vicious tit-for-tat reprisals which have claimed an estimated 2,000 lives.
They are currently 1,600 French soldiers and 5,000 African Union peacekeepers in the country.
It is understood the European troops will take over from French forces protecting some 100,000 internally displaced people who have sought refuge at the airport.
It remains unclear, however, as to which European countries will contribute troops or when they will arrive in the country.
The Council fears the conflict in the former French colony risks spiraling into genocide.
The French UN ambassador, Gerard Araud said:
“We really do need the arrival of the European forces because contingent for the moment has been largely committed to the protection of the 100,000 IDPs who have taken refuge on the airport.”
On the ground, the main camp of the Muslim Séléka militia in Bangui has been moved to another place.
It is part of an effort to quell the bloodshed and vicious tit-for-tat reprisals which have claimed an estimated 2,000 lives.
They are currently 1,600 French soldiers and 5,000 African Union peacekeepers in the country.
It is understood the European troops will take over from French forces protecting some 100,000 internally displaced people who have sought refuge at the airport.
It remains unclear, however, as to which European countries will contribute troops or when they will arrive in the country.