He says France will closely follow developments where the UN peacekeeping force is holding the line and will never abandon the former colony.

ends intro

Visiting Bangui yesterday French defense minister Jean-Yves Le Drian tells the CAR parliament some French troops will remain in Central African Republic as part of the 13 000 strong UN peacekeeping mission.

President Faustin Archange Touadera briefed him on

a new outbreak of violence  that left 25 people dead last week.

Central African Republic descended into conflict in 2013 when the mostly Muslim Seleka rebels who overthrew the Christian president committed atrocities.

A deadly backlash by the Christian anti-Balaka militia against Muslim civilians followed.

Pope Francis visited the CAR last year to appeal for calm.

The post France to withdraw peacekeeping force from Central African Republic appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.