{The U.S. military expects on this Thursday, 12th December, to begin flying Burundi forces into the Central African Republic to help stop the violence in that war-torn country, according to a U.S. military official.}
The United States has two C-17 aircraft in Uganda that will pick up the forces in Burundi and unload them in Bangui, the capital. The official emphasized the U.S. planes will remain on the ground in Bangui for a very short period due to the violence there.
The official also said the United States believes its planes and crews will be safe, because French forces control the airport there. The airlift of Burundi forces is expected to last about a week. Discussions about what additional assistance the United State may provide continue.
The Pentagon announced Monday that American military would fly African and European peacekeepers to the Central African Republic, which is in the midst of a bloody internal conflict between various proclaimed Christian and Muslim militias and other rebel factions.
That announcement was followed by a statement from President Barack Obama, who called on the country’s citizens to reject violence and urged the transitional government to join “respected leaders” in Muslim and Christian communities in calling for “calm and peace.”
“Individuals who are engaging in violence must be held accountable in accordance with the law. Meanwhile, as forces from other African countries and France work to restore security, the United States will support their efforts to protect civilians,” Obama said.
Pentagon spokesman Carl Woog said “the United States is joining the international community” in aiding the peackeeping effort “because of our belief that immediate action is required to avert a humanitarian and human rights catastrophe.”
Agencies
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