Two French soldiers were killed in combat in Central African Republic’s capital, President François Hollande’s office announced on Tuesday, the first French casualties since he ordered a stepped-up military presence in the restive former colony to help quell inter-religious violence.
The presidential Elysee Palace, in a statement, provided no details about the killings in Bangui late on Monday other than that they died during France’s mission to restore security, protect civilians, and ensure access for humanitarian groups in the impoverished country.
French officials have warned of the dangers of the enhanced military mission alongside African Union troops, authorised under a muscular mandate approved last week by the United Nations security council. France’s defence minister has warned militia groups to disarm peacefully or French troops will do it by force.
The announcement of the deaths came shortly after the presidential palace said Hollande would travel to Central African Republic on Tuesday after attending a memorial in South Africa to Nelson Mandela.
French defense minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said French forces were conducting patrols by foot and vehicle through the dusty streets of Bangui. At one point, they intervened to pull away a Muslim man, who claimed to be a merchant, from a mob that accused him of being a rebel leader, Guardian informs.
