African securityU.S. aircraft to fly African troops to the Central African Republic mission
U.S. military aircraft will fly African and European peacekeepers to the Central African Republic to help contain a bloody internal conflict between Christian and Muslim militias and other rebel factions. The country has been in chaos since Muslim militias ousted President Francois Bozize in March. The initial mission of the U.S. transport planes will be to fly troops from Burundi to the Central African Republic capital of Bangui.
U.S. military aircraft will fly African and European peacekeepers to the Central African Republic to help contain a bloody internal conflict between Christian and Muslim militias and other rebel factions. The country has been in chaos since Muslim militias ousted President Francois Bozize in March.
CNN reports that the decision by the Pentagon was followed by a statement from President Barack Obama, who called on the citizens of the Central African Republic to reject violence.
“Individuals who are engaging in violence must be held accountable in accordance with the law. Meanwhile, as forces from other African countries and France work to restore security, the United States will support their efforts to protect civilians,” Obama said.
Pentagon spokesman Carl Woog said that “the United States is joining the international community” in aiding the peackeeping effort “because of our belief that immediate action is required to avert a humanitarian and human rights catastrophe.”
CNN notes that Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel made the decision to provide U.S. transport planes after talking with his French counterpart, Yves Le Drian, on Sunday from Afghanistan, where Hagel is on a visit. Woog said that France asked for “limited assistance.”
France already has about 400 troops on the ground in the Central African Republic, and the French sources said France is going to add about 1,000 more soldiers. The French request for U.S. involves U.S. air support to enable the prompt deployment of African forces “to prevent the further spread of sectarian violence,” Woog said.
More than 400,000 people, about 10 percent of the population, have been internally displaced, according to the United Nations.
The U.S. transport planes will fly troops from Burundi to the Central African Republic capital of Bangui.
The Pentagon said it will provide security for its planes, but there is no indication about the number of troops involved. The operation is expected to be relatively small.
French President Francois Hollande said in Paris over the weekend that the goal is to hold elections once security is restored.
