Central African Republic 'on verge of genocide' says France, France has warned that the Central African Republic could experience mass killings as the United Nations contemplates sending thousands of peacekeeping forces to the nation.
"It's total disorder," French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told France 2 television. "You have seven surgeons for a population of five million, an infant mortality rate of 25 percent in some areas and 1.5 million people who have nothing, not even food, and armed gangs, bandits, etc."
The Central African Republic is a resource wealthy country and a former French colony. In March, a coup forced then president Francois Bozize to flee office. The transitional government hasn't been able to calm tensions between Christians and Muslims in the country of 4.5 million people, and the two groups have committed retaliatory attacks against one another.
U.N. leader Ban Ki-moon said up to 9,000 troops could be needed to intervene.
"It's total disorder," French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told France 2 television. "You have seven surgeons for a population of five million, an infant mortality rate of 25 percent in some areas and 1.5 million people who have nothing, not even food, and armed gangs, bandits, etc."
The Central African Republic is a resource wealthy country and a former French colony. In March, a coup forced then president Francois Bozize to flee office. The transitional government hasn't been able to calm tensions between Christians and Muslims in the country of 4.5 million people, and the two groups have committed retaliatory attacks against one another.
U.N. leader Ban Ki-moon said up to 9,000 troops could be needed to intervene.
