Central African Republic. You had to hit hard and fast (François Hollande)
(BRUSSELS2 - in Paris/ Elysée) « In the Central African Republic, you had to hit hard right away ». The French president thus summarized all the problems that arose in the face of the intervention.
To intervene or not to intervene
« The only question that should be asked was: to intervene or not to intervene? Let the massacres continue or stop them? Watching women and children being abused or ending it? » he commented during the closing press conference of the summit on peace and security in Africa, Saturday (7 December). And for the President of the Republic, the intervention was justified. “There is already a breathing space for Central Africans. Our troops were welcomed in villages and towns with the jubilation of Central Africans, like Malians yesterday, because we are seen as liberators”.
1600 soldiers and as long as necessary
The deployment ramps up quickly. “Thursday evening, there were 600 French soldiers. Last night there were 1. And tonight (Dec. 000), there will be 7. And that will be the number that will remain as long as necessary for this mission,” said the French president. It will therefore be 400 more than what was planned until now. “The deployment will be as fast as possible and will take place wherever there are risks for the population. » A deployment that will take place “with the African forces present”, estimated at 2500 soldiers. « The operation will be fast and efficient » et « will have to allow with the Central Africans, to restore stability and allow free and pluralist elections in this country ».
The three stages of the intervention
For François Hollande, there are actually three stages to the intervention:
- « In a short time, we will be able to put an end to the exactions and massacres. Today there are few but Thursday the numbers were frightening » attributing this change to the announcement of the French deployment.
- “The second stage of the mission will be to disarm all the militias and groups that terrorize the populations. »
- « The third stage must enable the authorities to be able to regain control of the territory and ensure the defense of the population. »
Elections in the crosshairs
« As in Mali, it is a question of concluding the operation by holding elections” . “In Mali, it was a question of fighting against a terrorist offensive by particularly armed and trained groups. In a few months, we disarmed his offensive, we defeated him and allowed Mali to organize presidential elections in July and now legislative ones (December 15). "" There is no security if there is no democracy and pluralism. Because any sprain, any violation leads groups to use means other than ballot papers to achieve their end. »
The defense of Africa is the defense of Europe
“The European Union will be able to play its part” to this effort. Europeans should not forget that « for Europe to ensure its defence, Africa must also ensure its own ». Car "IThere is no sea that prevents terrorism from crossing. » A conclusion as a warning to those who are tempted to remain passive.
