Brussels, 22/08/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 21 August, the European Union firmly condemned attacks in Bangui (Central African Republic, CAR) on 20 August that injured a number of EUFOR and Sangaris troops.
The European External Action Service (EEAS) points out that EUFOR acts totally impartially and upon the request of the CAR authorities, with the full support of the international community, and the EU is committed to stabilisation and transition in CAR.
EUFOR's press officer, Harald Kammerbauer, said EUFOR CAR remains determined to fulfil its mission with determination and impartiality, in close coordination with the African Union mission, French forces and the CAR domestic security forces, who are acting together for sustainable peace in the Central African Republic.
In the night of Tuesday 19 to Wednesday 20 August, the EUFOR CAR transition military operation was attacked by unidentified groups armed with light weapons. Five EUFOR soldiers were injured and four are suffering from hearing problems. They are all reported to be of French nationality. EUFOR says their lives are not in danger. Three French soldiers from the Sangaris operation were also injured on 20 August and EEAS wishes them a speedy recovery. The EUFOR CAR mission has a total of 750 soldiers on the ground. France has sent around 2,250 troops. (CG)