Hundreds of CAR Seleka supporters protest French involvement

2013-12-24 5

The French army releases video footage of French forces patrolling the streets of Bangui on Sunday.

France has sent about 1600 troops to Central African Republic, attempting to disarm groups of rival gunmen and protect civilians from inter-religious violence.

But protesters claim that French peacekeepers are actually dividing Muslims and Christians further apart.

They say the French army disarmed former Seleka rebels, which allowed Christian militias to lynch unarmed Seleka fighters.

Many Muslim Seleka supporters want France to leave:

(SOUNDBITE) (French) M. KALIF, SELEKA SUPPORTER, SAYING:

"As you can see, we are protesting against France, because France divided us since it arrived. We don't even understand Operation Sangaris, because from the moment it arrived we are very divided and there are a lot of abuses, that's why we are against France."

A semblance of calm has returned to the capital since early December when hundreds of people were k

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