ERR in CAR: Estonian Troops Have Come Under Fire Once
Head of ERR's foreign news department, Aarne Rannamäe, who is in the Central African Republic along with Defense Minister Sven Mikser, said Estonian troops on a peacekeeping mission to the strife-torn country have so far only had to use weapons once.
He said Estonian troops have been sent to areas where French troops no longer go due to bad blood, such the only Muslim area of the capital city Bangui.
Estonian troops, who joined an international peacekeeping mission in May, patrol both during the night and day. Night-time trips, however, are safer for the troops, as they have night-vision devices while others do not, Rannamäe said, adding that the one incident took place a few weeks ago but no one was hurt.
The whole of the CAR government and the president are Christians, and nearly all Muslims have fled the capital, which has meant there is less work to do for foreign troops stationed in the city. But the situation is more dangerous outside the city and the presence of the state is practically non-existent in the countryside.
Mikser met the President of the country and various ministers. He said it is imperative that peace is kept in African nations and no state can say this conflict area is too far away to affect them, as security has no borders and affects us all.