France to end military operations in Central African Republic

French President Francois Hollande announced on Wednesday that France would end its military mission in the Central African Republic in October.
“Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian will go to the Central African Republic in October to officially declare the end of Operation Sangaris,” said Hollande.
Operation Sangaris was launched in December 2013 in a bid to still violence between Christian and Muslim militias that left thousands dead and drove half a million people from their homes.
The force, which at its peak had 2 500 troops, has been progressively scaled back, being reduced to 350 personnel in June.
In a bid to suppress the sectarian violence, the UN has sent a peacekeeping force known as MINUSCA, comprising 12 600 foreign police and soldiers, as well as more than 500 foreign civilian staff.