The French Defence Ministry French has said that it is ready to end sectarian violence that has gripped the Central Africa Republic since rebels’ alliance called the Seleka, ousted President Francois Bozize in March.
The Red Cross said over the weekend that at least 400 bodies have been collected in the capital Bangui since Thursday. Many of the victims have been children, according to the UN’s children agency.
French troops arrived to a hero’s welcome in the capital Bangui and some have reached the northern town of Bossangoa on Sunday.
French President François Hollande told the Africa-France summit in Paris that all necessary action must be taken to restore peace and order in the Central Africa Republic. The summit was attended by various head of States in Africa.
“We must disarm the armed groups, restore stability, and at the appropriate time, enable the country to hold free and fair elections,” President Hollande said.
French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian was quoted by French media as saying French troops will start removing weapons from rebels by force if rebels refused to disarm.
“The period of impunity is at an end, everybody will lay down their arms. First we’ll ask gently and if they don’t react, we’ll do it by force. The operation will take some time’’, Mr. Drian said.
Some 1,600 troops have been deployed by France in the Central Africa Republic to help keep the peace alongside the African Union forces.
The French defence minister further said any former Seleka fighters loyal to interim President Djotodia would have to return to barracks. The rest would have to surrender their weapons.
But interim President, Micheal Djotodia said he cannot do anything to bring to order fighters who did not join the army when he took power. “I’m in control of my own men. Those I don’t control are not my men,” he said.
President Micheal Djotodia, a Muslim, took power after his rebels; the Seleka ousted President Francois Bozize, a Christian.
Political analysts in the region say the conflict is purely on religious matters with both Christian and Muslims accusing each other of escalating the violence.
Local reporters say some 40,000 Christians have sought refuge around a church. About 7,000 Muslims are stranded at a school located on the other side of the town.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that as many as 9,000 peacekeepers would be required to move into the CAR, and he hoped they would eventually become a United Nations operation.
An estimated 10% of CAR’s 4.6 million people have fled their homes, while more than a million urgently need food aid, according to the UN.
Issaka Adams / NationalTurk Africa News
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