Central Africa: France wants to end its Sangaris operation in 2016

France hopes to end its military operation in Central Sangaris in 2016, said Sunday Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.
“The goal is that Sangaris operation as such, military operation is stopped,” he told the Grand Jury RTL / LCI / Le Figaro quoting the “democratic process” underway Central and the next election of a president.
“I want this to be done in 2016 and it remains on the territory of Central smaller units as was previously the case,” said Jean-Yves Le Drian.
The French workforce, which totaled 900 soldiers currently – after reaching up to 2500 men at the beginning of operation end 2013 / early 2014 – will then be cut to around 300 soldiers, he suggested.
The United Nations has deployed a parallel force of some 10,000 men, the minusca, which helps notably to secure the elections for a political transition in Central Africa.
“There in the Central a UN mission, minusca, whose role will be growing to ensure security in the territory and the safety of the new political power,” noted the minister.
Jean-Yves Le Drian has also expressed hope that the EU is committed to training the CAR army, at an informal meeting of EU defense ministers on 3 and 4 February in Amsterdam.
“I wanted – and I think I will have satisfaction this week – there is also, as we have done in Mali, an EU training mission to rebuild the army of the Central African Republic , into a real army, “he said. “I hope to get this from my colleagues in a few days,” he added.