The US todayannounced to deploy its military planes to transport troops from Burundi to the Central African Republic as part of a French-led affort to help quell violence there.
US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel issued such a direction to US AFRICOM to begin transporting forces from Burundi to the Central African Republic, in coordination with France, the Pentagon said.
The request in this regard was made by the French Minister of Defense Yves Le Drian during a telephonic call with Hagel.
"Minister Le Drian requested limited assistance from the United States military to support this international effort. In the near term, France has requested airlift support to enable African forces to deploy promptly to prevent the further spread of sectarian violence in the Central African Republic," Assistant Press Secretary Carl Woog said.
Hagel spoke with his French counterpart about the security situation in the CAR, where, under the authority of a UN Security Council Resolution, French forces are assisting the African Union-led international support mission to provide humanitarian assistance and establish an environment that supports a political transition to a democratically elected government.
"The United States is joining the international community in this effort because of our belief that immediate action is required to avert a humanitarian and human rights catastrophe in the Central African Republic, and because of our interest in peace and security in the region," Woog said.
"We continue to work to identify additional resources that might be available to help address further requests for assistance to support the international community's efforts in CAR," the Pentagon official said.
The fighting in CAR began after the government of the majority Christian nation was overthrown by Muslim rebels nine months ago. Muslim rebel groups tied to an alliance organization called Seleka are clashing with Christian fighters.
