My friend Netta remarked to me this morning that there isn't any U.S. Media coverage of France's military support of the CAR army near Darfur, a force that is feared responsible for rapes and executions in the region:
In the past two weeks, with minimal publicity, [French] Mirage F1 jets have attacked and scattered a rebellion in north-eastern Central African Republic (CAR). But reports from the ground say the operation has had a devastating impact on civilians.
(Emphasis Mine)
According to the UFDR, the raids over several days at the start of December included an attack on Birao with six Mirage F1 fighters and four helicopter gunships. It claims the attack forced thousands of civilians to flee towards Darfur and southern Chad.
A French armed forces spokesman yesterday refused to give details of whether bombs, missiles or machinegun-fire had been used by the jets.
[...]
Nganatouwa Goungaye Wanfiyo, president of the Central African Human Rights League, said France's intervention on the side of the CAR army had been out of all proportion and may have increased the risk of a Darfur-style ethnic conflict. "They have just delayed the problem and worsened it. The opposition wants dialogue with Bozizé, that's all."
(All emphasis mine) The situation in Darfur isn't emphasized adequately in general, but for this development to not be reported at all among major MSM sources like CNN & MSNBC is concerning. If someone can post downthread the best contact e-mails for various news outlets, perhaps we can get this broad attention within our national media.
--By Skyterrain
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