French troops wait for French President Francois Hollande to address the troops during a stopover from South Africa in Bangui, Central African Republic, Tuesday Dec. 10, 2013. Two French soldiers were killed in combat overnight since France stepped up its presence to restive the former French colony to help quell inter-religious violence. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
Central African Republic Hollande
French President Francois Hollande reviews the troops during a stopover from South Africa in Bangui, Central African Republic, Tuesday Dec. 10, 2013. Two French soldiers were killed in combat overnight since France stepped up its presence to restive the former French colony to help quell inter-religious violence. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
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PARIS (AP) — Military analysts say French forces trying to disarm fighters in Central African Republic must be smart, careful and quick about handing the lead to multinational African peacekeepers.
It’s a particularly dangerous and complex mission in a capital that remains on edge after hundreds died in an eruption of sectarian violence.
With French troops patrolling parts of the capital, some families started venturing out Wednesday to bury their dead.
The perils of the French mission came clear when two French soldiers were killed in a nighttime foot patrol Monday. A former colonial power, France beefed up its military presence last week, and a major aim of the mission is disarming fighters involved in recent interreligious strife between the majority Christians and a Muslim minority.
