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France Adds Troops in Central African Republic France Adds Troops in Central African Republic
(about 5 hours later)
In a bid to stem deepening chaos in the Central African Republic, where brutal government-affiliated militia groups have been pillaging and burning villages, the French defense minister announced on Tuesday that France would increase its deployment of troops to about 1,000. In a bid to stem deepening chaos in the Central African Republic, where brutal government-affiliated militia groups have been pillaging and burning villages, the French defense minister announced on Tuesday that France would increase its deployment of troops there to about 1,000.
France already has about 400 troops in the Central African Republic, a former colony.France already has about 400 troops in the Central African Republic, a former colony.
Jean-Yves Le Drian, the defense minister, announced the mission in an interview on Europe 1 radio, saying that the Central African Republic “is in collapse.”Jean-Yves Le Drian, the defense minister, announced the mission in an interview on Europe 1 radio, saying that the Central African Republic “is in collapse.”
“We cannot have a country fall apart like that,” Mr. Le Drian said. “There is the violence, massacres and humanitarian chaos. It will be a short mission to allow calm and stability to return.”“We cannot have a country fall apart like that,” Mr. Le Drian said. “There is the violence, massacres and humanitarian chaos. It will be a short mission to allow calm and stability to return.”
The situation has deteriorated dramatically since a coup in late March overthrew the president, François Bozizé, and installed a new president, Michel Djotodia, who was supported by an alliance of guerrilla fighters known as the Seleka, drawn from neighboring nations and the Central African Republic. Since then, the new government’s formal and informal forces have wreaked havoc or stood by while militia groups destroyed homes and carried out extrajudicial killings, torture and rape, according to human rights groups. The situation has deteriorated drastically since a coup in late March overthrew the president, François Bozizé, and installed a new president, Michel Djotodia, who was supported by an alliance of guerrilla fighters known as the Seleka, drawn from neighboring nations and the Central African Republic. Since then, the new government’s formal and informal forces have wreaked havoc or stood by while militia groups have destroyed homes and carried out extrajudicial killings, torture and rape, according to human rights groups.
In a report in August to the United Nations Security Council, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon described the situation as a “total breakdown of law and order.”In a report in August to the United Nations Security Council, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon described the situation as a “total breakdown of law and order.”
Both the former government of Mr. Bozizé and the current one of Mr. Djotodia, which is backed by the Seleka, are accused of serious human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings and torture, according to a report released in September by Human Rights Watch.Both the former government of Mr. Bozizé and the current one of Mr. Djotodia, which is backed by the Seleka, are accused of serious human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings and torture, according to a report released in September by Human Rights Watch.
However, since the beginning of 2013, many of the abuses of civilians have been carried out in Seleka-dominated territory, according to the report. Tensions are heightened by religious differences between members of the Seleka, who are Muslims, and the predominantly Christian populace, which is increasingly defended by armed Christian groups. However, since the beginning of this year, many of the abuses of civilians have been carried out in Seleka-dominated territory, according to the report. Tensions are heightened by religious differences between members of the Seleka, who are Muslims, and the predominantly Christian populace, which is increasingly defended by armed Christian groups.
The United Nations is considering authorizing a peacekeeping force but in the meantime appears to be counting on France to bridge the gap. The United Nations is considering authorizing a peacekeeping force, but in the meantime appears to be counting on France to bridge the gap.
It would be France’s second military mission in a former colony this year. The country sent about 4,500 soldiers to Mali in January to stop extremist Islamists from extending their power throughout the country. Since then, France has brought home some troops, and about 3,000 remain in Mali. It would be France’s second military mission in a former colony this year. The country sent about 4,500 soldiers to Mali in January to stop Islamist extremists from extending their power throughout the country. Since then, France has brought home some troops, and about 3,000 remain in Mali.
Privately, French officials say they believe that the Central African Republic is well on its way to becoming a failed state and will create a widening vortex of violence that could spread beyond its borders.Privately, French officials say they believe that the Central African Republic is well on its way to becoming a failed state and will create a widening vortex of violence that could spread beyond its borders.