{{Regional leaders on Thursday said they would boost their military force in the Central African Republic by 2,000 soldiers, in a bid to restore order as violence and looting plague the country after a March coup.}}
In a statement issued after a summit hosted by Chad, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) bloc said the additional troops would assist the transition government “with security as well as restructuring security forces”.
No timetable was given for the deployment of troops.
The deployment would effectively quadruple African forces in the troubled country, which currently has around 500 soldiers from Gabon, Cameroon, Congo and Chad — whose troops are renowned as the most hardy and best trained in the region — assisting with security.
Financial assistance was also crucial in helping Central African Republic through the post-coup crisis, ECCAS said.
“The transition council in place does not have a cent to its name to be able to function,” said summit host, Chadian President Idriss Deby.
“Partners and allies must urgently bring their own financial contribution to the transitional authorities to help them fulfil their mission.”
NMG
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