French Troops Invade Central African Republic, 300 Killed in Violence

Edited by Juan Leandro
2013-12-07 13:25:05

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Bangui, December 7 (RHC)-- The Red Cross says at least 300 people have been killed in violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) since Thursday. The international humanitarian organization said on Friday that it had collected the bodies of 281 people killed during two days of violence in the capital Bangui.

Red Cross President Pastor Antoine Mbao Bogo warned that the death toll could rise significantly on Saturday when staff would resume work. "Tomorrow is going to be a monster of a day. We're going to work tomorrow and I think we're going to need a fourth day too," said Bogo.

On Thursday, France said it would deploy troops to the CAR. President Francois Hollande made the announcement shortly after the United Nations Security Council authorized intervention in the former French colony. The 15-member council unanimously adopted a resolution giving the African Union and France the go-ahead to send troops to the African country. According to the resolution, up to 3,600 African and 1,200 French troops are authorized to contain the violence there.

Hollande promised that the 600 French troops in the CAR will be doubled "within a few days, even a few hours," noting that the CAR was "calling us for help," and he "decided to act immediately." CAR Prime Minister Nicolas Tiangaye, who was in Paris for a Franco-African summit, had urged France to act promptly.

Critics say that France has other plans for its former colony, aside from the stated goal of stopping the violence. There are many mineral resources, including gold and diamond, in the Central African Republic. And the extremely poor country has been unstable since gaining independence in 1960.



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