When President François Hollande ordered French troops into the Central African Republic
ostensibly to avert a “genocide” by Muslim rebels who had seized power, the operation
was named “Sangaris” after a butterfly to reflect its intended brief life.
Almost three months later, the French parliament is to vote tomorrow on extending the
operation, amid claims the government underestimated the potential for a backlash by the
Christian majority the troops were sent to protect. Continue reading…