By Pramod Raj Sedhain.
France deployed some 1,600 soldiers to prevent further conflict in war-torn Central African Republic (CAR) on December 5, 2013. French expects that the military intervention “Operation Sangaris” in its former colony would be quick and easy. It is hopeful that the involvement would last for just over four to six months where the troops would try to stabilize the lawless potential dangerous sectarian war-torn country. The African Union (AU) forces made their place in the frontline backed by French troops to boost its existing peacekeeping mission to 6,000 soldiers.
France thought it necessary to intervene following international and regional approach. The UN Security Council unanimously approved the decision and passed Resolution 2127, which mandated and authorized the French forces to take “all necessary measures” in CAR. The French-speaking unstable, landlocked and least-developed country CAR has slid into anarchy since the Muslim Seleka fighters seized capital Bangui on 24 March, 2013 ousting President Francois Bozize. The country with a population of 4.6 million entered sectarian conflict facing deep humanitarian crisis.
France sent a right message to African ally while showing its commitment of global security effort. France flexed its military muscle and proved a greater influence in the African region. Without French intervention in CAR, the deadlock would continue resulting to possible threat and destabilization of the whole region . CAR has six borders – Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of the Congo and Cameroon. Nearly about the size of France, CAR’s (622,984 km2) risk of spiraling into genocide nearly ended and the French troops along with African troops tried to restore security and disarm militants.
If French had not acted on time by undermining the conflict, the world would see a new regretful tragedy (ethnic massacres and even genocide) in the 21st century. The UN presence and its credibility would have been insignificant. Since 2011, France has intervened in four African countries – Libya, Ivory Coast, Mali, and currently in the Central African Republic. The success in the battlefield has recognized the French Military as a superpower.
Interest of Intervention
Most of the French model of successful intervention in Africa has avoided accusations of neo-colonialism since they are mandated by the UN Security Council. Unlike the missions in Iraq or Afghanistan, French intervention in Africa is an act of protecting civilians with regional and international support and the country’s request and clear mandate of the UN. French forces’ prompt action prevented the war. France has more than 5,000 troops stationed at bases across Africa and the cost of maintaining them stands at 400 million Euros per year.
Since 1960 (independence from France), CAR – rich in gold, diamond, uranium and agriculture – faces decades of deep instability. With natural, cultural and ethnical diversity, CAR has witnessed several coups, power struggles, conspiracies, rebellion and corruption. Thousands have been displaced and scores of civilians have been killed in CAR due to internal rife. Data shows that more than 50 percent of the French public has supported military intervention. The support is growing. Prior to the launch of the operation, polls showed that 64 percent of the public opposed to military intervention criticizing the government of spending taxpayers’ money.
France has already spent around 500 million Euros in CAR operation. The EU had earlier assured of providing 50 million Euros for the initial phase of the operation. However, EU countries have not come together when it comes to supporting France in this complicated intervention.
Africa has remained France’s top priority. Top French ministers, leaders, top businessmen, military officials, diplomatic and even government employees frequently travel to the African Region. France also organizes exchange programs of senior African leaders on a regular basis. French President also pays special attention to Africa rather than other regions. Since 1975, France has organized Africa-France summit and held several rounds of talks with African leaders.
France has long been involved in the leading role in the African continent and continues to bolster its influence in the region. It has carried out dozens of military interventions. The recent unilateral intervention is to show the real support of its ally and protect the national interest in the region. President Francois Hollande hosted about some 40 African leaders at a Paris Summit before CAR intervention and clearly mentioned France’s interest to double France’s exports to the African region over the next five years.
Root of conflict
Several militia groups participated in peace talks with the government. Several peace agreements have been signed in 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012 and 2013. Peace agreements have given the recognition to militia groups as political party while several of the fighters have been integrated into the national army. The 2008 agreement also led to reconciliation, formation of a unity government, and holding local elections in 2009 and parliamentary and Presidential elections in 2010.
The new unity government was formed in January 2009. Rebel groups accused the government of President Francois Bozize of failing to abide by the peace agreements. In March 2013, the coalition government was dissolved and rebels seized the capital. Seleka – literally meaning of Union Joint group overthrew the government on March 24, 2013. The CAR’s longest-running civil war rebels, mostly Muslim members group is an alliance of – Democratic Front of the Central African People (FDPC), Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace (CPJP), Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR), Patriotic Convention for Saving the Country (CPSK) is currently threat of Peace troop. Democratic Front of the Central African People and the Chadian group Popular Front for Recovery (FPR), also announced their allegiance to the coalition.
The joint rebel collation launched a series of attacks on government-controlled towns in the northern and central parts in early December 2012. They participated in peace talks in early January 2013 that resulted to the formation of a coalition government under the rebel’s leadership. After the collapse of a power-sharing deal, the rebel groups advanced the town and moved to the capital. The Economic Community of Central African States force – South Africa, Republic of Congo, Gabon, Chad, Cameroon and Angola sent troops to block the Seleka rebel advance to protect the capital. But the rebels seized the capital on 24 March 2013 and President Francois Bozize fled the country.
Rebel leader Michel Djotodia self-proclaimed as the country’s President and after seizing the power, he announced a post-coup caretaker government and became the Defense Minister and promised elections in 2016. The new government headed by Tiangaye, with 34 members, 9 members of Seleka along with eight Bozize opposition party representatives, 16 civil society members, one member of the government was associated with former President Bozize’s party. But the parties were unhappy with the composition of the government and announced protest.
Political dispute turned into sectarian violence and destabilized the entire country. The state totally failed and the conflict worsened further. Fighting between Seleka (mostly Muslim) and Bozize supporters rebels (mostly Christians) continued. Human rights abuses including use of child soldiers, rape, torture, extrajudicial killings, looting and forced disappearance is widespread the country. Despite the lack of interest from the European countries, America and NATO ally to send troops to CAR on the ground as well as failure to extend reliable western power military support France intervened in CAR. However, legal, moral and humanitarian ground and widely regional and international support have boosted French military might and international supremacy.
