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               African Union to Sign Troop Agreement with Rwanda

   by Peter Clottey

   The African Union (AU) plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding
   (MOU) with Rwanda this week that will enable the government in Kigali
   to send troops to help with efforts to stabilize the Central African
   Republic (CAR), says Eloi Yao, AU spokesman.
   The AU commissioner for peace and security was accompanied by officials
   from neighboring countries to meet with the CAR transitional government
   over the weekend to assess the security situation there.
   Rwanda, Yao says, is expected to deploy its troops to CAR in January.
   "This week, we will have the MOU between the African Union and Rwanda
   finalized, and hopefully by mid-January, Rwanda can deploy troops to
   contribute to MISCA, the [AU] mission to Central African Republic,"
   said Yao.
   Some observers say hundreds of Chadians in the country fled Saturday
   after being accused of supporting the transitional government led by
   former Seleka rebel leader Michel Djotodia. Chadian soldiers who are
   part of the African-led force in the CAR have also been accused of
   supporting the transitional government and Muslim militia groups.
   France has so far deployed a 1,600 peacekeeping mission to the CAR
   aimed at stopping massacres between Muslim and Christian militias.
   But some analysts say tension remains high across the country in spite
   of the presence of the African-led force and French troops. Yao said
   the security situation appears to be calm in parts of the country
   including the some areas of the capital, Bangui.
   "Things seem relatively calm as compared to the 25^th [December] and
   some other days before that when there were several incidents
   throughout the city," said Yao. "But as of now, [the situation has
   improved, thanks to] the new plans that the force commander [and] the
   police of the MISCA forces put in place to cover the districts in
   Bangui and also all the affected areas."
   Yao says that efforts by the African led force with support from French
   troops have helped reduce the spate of attacks by militia groups.
   The transitional government and religious leaders have called for peace
   and dialogue to end the attacks on civilians by armed groups. But some
   observers say the call has fallen on deaf ears since the militia groups
   continue to curb such assaults. Yao says there is a commitment by
   leaders in the country to end the violence.
   "The commitment was made that the determination is there and they
   [leaders] all have promised to work together in the interest of the
   country --so that there can be peace and also that can be supported by
   the African-led forces here," said Yao.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/african-union-to-sign-troop-agreement
   -with-rwanda/1819684.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/african-union-to-sign-troop-agreement-with-rwanda/1819684.html