UNSC votes to send 12,000 'peacekeepers' to CAR

Thu Apr 10, 2014 4:26PM GMT

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The UN Security Council has approved a 12,000-strong "peacekeeping" force for the Central African Republic (CAR), where unrelenting violence has triggered fears of genocide.
The resolution, which was submitted by France, will send up to 10,000 military personnel, 1,800 police and 20 corrections officers to CAR.

Under the resolution, French soldiers are authorized to "use all necessary means" to provide support to the UN peacekeeping mission.

The European Union has pledged to send an additional 800 troops, who are expected to become fully operational by the end of May.

The CAR has been experiencing deadly unrest since December last year, when Christian militia launched coordinated attacks against the mostly Muslim Seleka group, who toppled the government in March 2013.

Violence rages on in Central Africa despite the presence of thousands of French and African forces in the country.

Many believe the French troops, known as the Sangaris, turn a blind eye to atrocities committed by Christian militias.

There are many mineral resources, including gold and diamond, in the Central African Republic. However, the country is extremely poor and has faced a series of rebellions and coups since it gained independence in 1960.