Government deploys troops to fight highway bandits

The government of the Central African Republic (CAR) deployed 200 soldiers on Tuesday to four provinces to fight highway robbers, state-owned Radio Centrafrique reported. The soldiers, from the Mixed Intervention Battalion (Batallion Mixte d'Intervention et d'Appui), have just completed six months of military training, financed by France under a military cooperation agreement. The radio reported that the soldiers were deployed to the provinces of Kemo, Nana Grebizi, Ouham and Ouham Pende, to the north and northwest of the capital, Bangui. The chief of staff of CAR's Armed Forces, Gen Antoine Gambi, was quoted as saying that the deployment was crucial to the restoration of security across the country. The resurgence of highway banditry in the four provinces poses a threat to peace, especially as the country prepares for general elections due in early 2005. The troop deployment to fight banditry is the first since CAR leader Francois Bozize overthrew former President Ange-Felix Patasse on 15 March 2003.