Friday, 13 May 2016

French president visits CAR before withdrawing troops

 

Troops CAR French Soldier9 
France's President Francois Hollande is making his third visit in four years to the Central African Republic (CAR), a former French colony.

His trip, which will only last a few hours, is just a few weeks after CAR's new President, Faustin Touadera, was sworn in. His election is seen as an important step towards restoring peace after several years of deadly religious unrest.

The decision to end French military operations in the CAR by the end of the year will likely be the main topic of discussion.

The French presidency says the visit demonstrates Mr Hollande's commitment to support peace and stabilisation efforts in the country.

Since 2013 there has been fighting between mainly Muslim Seleka rebels and mostly Christian anti-Balaka militias.

Civil society leader Boniface Gonabana-Ndele told the BBC that the issue of the disarmament and reinsertion of armed groups should be discussed during Mr Hollande's visit.

Many in the capital, Bangui, are also hoping that the alleged sex abuse cases involving French troops will not be ignored.

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