• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

UN proposes deploying 11,820 peacekeepers to CAR

Iran Press TV

Mon Mar 3, 2014 9:31PM GMT

UN chief Ban Ki-moon has recommended deploying 11,820 peacekeepers in the Central African Republic (CAR) to contain the ongoing sectarian violence.

In a report sent to the 15 members of the Security Council on Monday, the UN secretary general said that the peacekeeping mission should focus, in the initial stage, on 'the protection of civilians' as part of a 'military surge,' AFP reported.

'It is envisaged that the strength of the peacekeeping operation would comprise up to 10,000 troops and 1,820 police personnel,' and would include logistical and transport support, such as helicopters, the report said.

Ban added that the mandate of the proposed force would then be expanded to support the political transition process, in particular restoring the government's authority over the country and organizing elections.

He noted that 'the scale of the needs in the CAR is daunting,' adding that he was 'deeply concerned about the dramatic deterioration of the situation' in the African country.

The Central African Republic has been facing deadly unrest since December 2013, when Christian armed groups launched coordinated attacks against the mostly Muslim Seleka group that toppled the government in March 2013.

Fierce fighting in the African country reportedly claimed over 1,000 lives and forced about one million people to flee their homes in January.

France deployed 1,600 troops to the CAR in December 2013, after the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution giving Paris and the African Union the go-ahead to send troops to the strife-torn country. Its force now numbers some 2,000 soldiers.

Paris claims the aim of the mission is to create stability in the country in order to allow humanitarian aid to reach violence-hit areas.

However, the deployment of the French and African Union forces has done little to end the ongoing violence in the country.

There are many mineral resources, including gold and diamond, in the Central African Republic. However, the country is extremely poor and has faced a series of rebellions and coups since it gained independence in 1960.

MN/AS/MAM