Post date: Dec 27, 2012 5:19:18 PM
France is in CAR not to protect a regime but to protect French citizens French President Francois Hollande says after a visit to Rungis wholesale market in Paris.
RUNGIS, FRANCE (DECEMBER 27, 2012) (FRENCH POOL) - France is not in CAR to protect the regime of Central Republic President Francois Bozize threatened by the rebels of the Seleka alliance, but to protect its citizens said French President Francois Hollande on the sidelines of a visit to Rungis wholesale market on Thursday (December 27).
"Generally speaking, if we are there (in CAR), it's not to protect a regime but to protect our citizens and our interests and not at all to interfere in domestic matters of a country, as it happens, Central African Republic. This time is over," Hollande said.A government minister in the Central African Republic called on Wednesday for French soldiers stationed in the country to intervene to stop rebels who have swept south in recent weeks and are now threatening the capital.
The appeal came as hundreds of people protested outside the French Embassy in Bangui, the capital, throwing stones at the building and tearing down the French flag in anger at a rebel advance through the north of the country.
The rebel push through a string of towns in recent weeks has highlighted the fragility of the land-locked nation which has known little else apart from instability since independence from France in 1960.
French military officers act as advisors to the CAR's army and Paris in the past has helped prop up or oust governments.
However, France is increasingly reluctant to directly intervene in conflicts in its former colonies.
Asked whether France would have to take military action if there was some exaction on refugees, Hollande said that France would only take action if there was a UN mandate to do so.
"We can take action if there is a mandate of the United Nations, which is not the case, but generally speaking, we are doing our best to see the civil populations protected and preserved so once again, we will do out duty," Hollande said.
President Francois Bozize came to power in 2003 after a brief war and has repeatedly relied on foreign intervention to fend off rebellions and the spill-over from conflict in neighbouring Chad and Sudan.