Muslims Protest against French Military in Central African Republic
December 23, 2013 - 13:00
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Several thousand Muslims gathered in the Central African
RepublicÂ’s capital Bangui to protest a disarmament operation conducted by
French soldiers.
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The demonstration, staged by supporters of former rebel group Seleka, marked
the most significant show of hostility towards France since it deployed
troops on December 5 to end the chaos that followed Seleka's coup in March.
"No to France", the protesters chanted, calling French President Francois
Hollande a "criminal" and complaining that his troops had only come to
protect Christians.
"This is a murderous operation, they want to divide us Central Africans.
They have come to impose their will and make us kill each other," shouted
one protester.
The protest swelled after three ex-Seleka fighters were killed in clashes
with French troops, according to Muslim residents and a leader of the former
rebel outfit.
The French army confirmed its troops had opened fire on suspected Seleka
gunmen it said had trained their weapons on them but could not ascertain a
death toll.
Seleka faction chief Abacar Sabone said the three fighters "were armed, it's
true, but had not been threatening the French and did not use their
weapons."
An AFP video journalist said the demonstrators marched from the city center
to the Muslim neighbourhood of PK5 before dispersing peacefully.
A French army spokesman in Paris, Colonel Pascal Georgin, acknowledged a
"clearly anti-French demonstration" but put the number of participants at
around 100.
France has deployed 1,600 soldiers to its former colony to bolster an
African force MISCA, which had been struggling to cope with an outbreak of
Christian-Muslim violence.
Thé Mulindwas Communication Group
"With Yoweri Museveni and Dr. Kiiza Besigye Uganda is in anarchy"
Kuungana Mulindwa Mawasiliano Kikundi
"Pamoja na Yoweri Museveni na Dk. Kiiza Besigye Uganda ni katika machafuko"
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