UNSC backs deployment of EU occupying forces to CAR

The United Nations Security Council has authorized deployment of European Union occupying forces into the crisis-hit Central African Republic (CAR).

On Tuesday, the 15-nation body unanimously adopted the resolution and approved financial sanctions against some individuals from the CAR.

The head of the EU delegation to the United Nations, Thomas Mayr-Harting, said the EU forces would be sent to the CAR within weeks, but did not elaborate on a specific timeframe.

Meanwhile, French Ambassador to the UN Gerard Araud said the troops would be sent to guard the airport in the capital Bangui.

“We are starting to stabilize the situation, but it’s still very fragile,” Araud said.

“We really need the arrival of the European forces.” said the French envoy.

France, which has already deployed 1,600 soldiers to the country, claims the aim of the mission is to create stability in the country in order to allow humanitarian aid to reach violence-hit areas.

French soldiers, known as Sangaris, invaded the former colony on December 5 after the UN Security Council adopted a resolution giving the African Union and France the go-ahead to send troops to the country.

The unrest in the CAR intensified when rebels of the Seleka coalition brought CAR President Michel Djotodia to power by launching an offensive against the government in December 2012 and finally ousting then President Francois Bozizé in March next year.