France to end military operation in Central Africa 


President Francois Hollande has announced  that France will end its military mission in the Central African Republic in October.  

Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian is expected to go to the Central African Republic in October to officially declare the end of  'Operation Sangaris'.  

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, was 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.


SOURCE: NEWS24