African Union to boost Central African Republic force

The African Union has authorized increasing the number of troops deployed in the Central African Republic to 6,000, the BBC News reported Friday. CAR fell into sectarian conflict after rebel leader Michel Djotodia ousted President Francois Bozize in March. The AU troops are attempting to restore order and disarm the militia which now control much of the country. France's defence minister has warned the country is facing "the early beginnings of a humanitarian crisis". Jean-Yves Le Drian was in the CAR capital, Bangui, on Friday to meet some of the 1,600 French troops deployed there, and to hold talks with officials. He said the "spiral of confrontation has abruptly worsened". France is the former colonial power in CAR, which is one of the world's poorest countries. Two French soldiers have died in fighting. El Ghassim Wane, director of the AU's Peace and Security Department, (PSC) told Reuters that approval had been given to increase troop numbers to 6,000 "depending on the needs".