French Deployment in the Central African Republic

The French government said Nov. 26 that it would deploy about 1,000 troops to the Central African Republic, where the government and African peacekeeping forces have failed to put an end to insecurity. The land-locked African nation has been racked by violence since current President Michel Djotodia's rise to power through a rebellion in March. After the Seleka alliance of rebels brought Djotodia to power, he disbanded the alliance, but his lack of control over the rebels and the limited capabilities of the country's security forces have meant that he has been unable to control the spread of local militias or quell continuing violence against civilians.

At the moment, 410 French soldiers are already in the country guarding the airport and French interests as well as providing logistical support for the 2,500 African peacekeeping forces from Cameroon, Chad, Gabon and the Republic of the Congo deployed there. However, the African peacekeepers operate mainly in the capital, Bangui. Organized by the Economic Community of Central African States, this peacekeeping force is currently transitioning into an African Union operation that will eventually number 3,600 troops.

While the African Union force secures Bangui and other hotspots, such as Bossangoa and Bouca north of the capital, the Central African Republic has suggested that French forces would be responsible for patrolling the main roads connecting Bangui to Cameroon as well as other roads leading to the northwestern part of the country. These patrols would help prevent future rebel attacks on Cameroon like the one that occurred Nov. 18. However, France will probably avoid the main sites of rebel activity and will push African troops to deal with those areas.

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