France sends troops to its former colony to help stop bloodshed between Christian and Muslim militias
Christian civilians fled by the thousands to the airport guarded by French forces in this chaotic capital Friday as the mostly Muslim armed fighters who have ruled the country since March hunted door-todoor for their enemies and the death toll from inter-communal violence rose to 280 people.
Bodies lay decomposing along the roads in a city too dangerous for many to collect the corpses. Thursday's clashes marked the worst unrest in Bangui in nine months and raised fears that waves of retaliatory attacks could soon follow.
"They are slaughtering us like chickens," said Appolinaire Donoboy, a Christian whose family remained in hiding.
France had pledged to increase its presence in its former colony well before Christian militias attacked the capital at dawn Thursday. The arrival of additional French troops and equipment came as the capital teetered on the brink of total anarchy and represented the greatest hope for many Central Africans.
About 1,000 French troops were expected to be on the ground by Friday evening, a French defence official said.
As night fell across the near anarchic capital, Christians fearing retaliatory attacks by the mostly Muslim ex-rebels crowded as close to the runway as possible, laying out their woven mats in front of a barbed wire coiled fence. National radio announced that at least 280 people had died, citing figures from local Red Cross officials.
France signalled its amped up presence Friday by sending out armoured vehicles to patrol the streets.
Up to 250 French troops are carrying out permanent patrols in Bangui, and "we didn't notice any direct clashes between armed groups today," said French military spokesman Col. Gilles Jaron in Paris.
On Thursday, however, 10 armed attackers in a pickup truck fired on a French position at the airport. French forces returned fire, killing four attackers and wounding six, Jaron said.
A UN Security Council resolution Thursday allowed France to proceed with its mission. It coincided with the worst violence to roil the capital since March when the mostly Muslim rebels known as Seleka overthrew the president.
On Thursday, Christian militias believed to be loyal to ousted leader Francois Bozize, attacked the city. The conflict has gathered little sustained attention since the government overthrow in March, and the dramatic developments were overshadowed Friday by mourning for South African anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela.
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun
Christian civilians fled by the thousands to the airport guarded by French forces in this chaotic capital Friday as the mostly Muslim armed fighters who have ruled the country since March hunted door-todoor for their enemies and the death toll from inter-communal violence rose to 280 people.
Bodies lay decomposing along the roads in a city too dangerous for many to collect the corpses. Thursday's clashes marked the worst unrest in Bangui in nine months and raised fears that waves of retaliatory attacks could soon follow.
"They are slaughtering us like chickens," said Appolinaire Donoboy, a Christian whose family remained in hiding.
France had pledged to increase its presence in its former colony well before Christian militias attacked the capital at dawn Thursday. The arrival of additional French troops and equipment came as the capital teetered on the brink of total anarchy and represented the greatest hope for many Central Africans.
About 1,000 French troops were expected to be on the ground by Friday evening, a French defence official said.
As night fell across the near anarchic capital, Christians fearing retaliatory attacks by the mostly Muslim ex-rebels crowded as close to the runway as possible, laying out their woven mats in front of a barbed wire coiled fence. National radio announced that at least 280 people had died, citing figures from local Red Cross officials.
France signalled its amped up presence Friday by sending out armoured vehicles to patrol the streets.
Up to 250 French troops are carrying out permanent patrols in Bangui, and "we didn't notice any direct clashes between armed groups today," said French military spokesman Col. Gilles Jaron in Paris.
On Thursday, however, 10 armed attackers in a pickup truck fired on a French position at the airport. French forces returned fire, killing four attackers and wounding six, Jaron said.
A UN Security Council resolution Thursday allowed France to proceed with its mission. It coincided with the worst violence to roil the capital since March when the mostly Muslim rebels known as Seleka overthrew the president.
On Thursday, Christian militias believed to be loyal to ousted leader Francois Bozize, attacked the city. The conflict has gathered little sustained attention since the government overthrow in March, and the dramatic developments were overshadowed Friday by mourning for South African anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela.
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun
No comments:
Post a Comment