Eurasia Press & News
French President Francois Hollande said on Monday the collapse of the Central African Republic could destabilise the region, as he sought to drum up support for increased military intervention while on a state visit to South Africa.
France committed on Sunday to increasing the number of troops in its former colony by year-end, under a U.N. resolution, to help prevent the state spiralling out of control with the risk the power vacuum could encourage militancy.
The Central African Republic has descended into chaos since mostly Muslim Seleka rebels ousted President Francois Bozize in March, the latest coup in the poor but mineral-rich country.
“There is a political emergency because there is no state,” Hollande said as he addressed reporters in Pretoria alongside South African President Jacob Zuma.
“There is also an emergency at a regional level because there is a risk of spillover. We might witness religious conflict,” he said, in comments translated from French.
There have already been sectarian clashes in the conflict that has driven more than 400,000 people from their homes, fleeing violence including murder and rape.
France has about 400 troops in the capital, Bangui, and their numbers could be increased to around 750.
