France trains Bangui army

The first Central African Republic (CAR) soldiers to be trained by French military instructors since a coup here in March completed a two-month course on Friday, government-owned Radio Centrafrique reported. Army Chief of Staff Gen Antoine Gambi presided over the graduation of the 16 non-commissioned officers at the Kassai Military Barracks in the capital, Bangui. The radio reported that another intake would begin training in the coming days. The trainees were among 300 soldiers stationed in Bangui since March. "France will continue to support the CAR army and national gendarmerie both by providing advisers and supplying adequate means expected here before the end of the year," Col Daniel Thaes, the defence attached at the French Embassy, was quoted as saying. On a visit to Bangui on 29 July, French Foreign Minister Dominique De Villepin said his country would train three army battalions (some 2,400 men) and 30 gendarmerie units before December. This, he said, would enable the government to restore calm after months of war and insecurity. The six-month war that ended on 15 March when Francois Bozize overthrew Ange-Felix Patasse led to the proliferation of arms especially in the north, where highwaymen and cattle raiders continue to terrorise the people in remote and inaccessible areas.