The strife-torn Central African Republic (CAR) will be getting more international peacekeepers soon, now that the United Nations Security Council gave its approval to creating a new force, nearly 12,000 strong.  It’s hoped the new arrangement will put the lid on sectarian violence that threatens to spill over into another African genocide.

The UN Security Council created the peacekeeping force to absorb and assume authority from 1,800 French troops and a 6,000 member African Union force that has been beleaguered by overwork and divisions among participating nations, especially Muslim Chad which has been accused to favoring CAR’s Muslims over Christians. 

The predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels seized power in the CAR a year ago, and perpetrated abuses on the majority Christian civilian population.  But when their president faltered and fled the country earlier this year, the Christians formed their own “Anti-Balaka” militias and have been carrying out revenge attacks on Muslim, many of whom had nothing to do with the Seleka and until a few months ago were living peacefully alongside the majority.

Maintaining full control of the volatile situation has been elusive.  Hours before the vote, French troops attempted to disarm a man in the capital Bangui.  He responded by tossing a grenade at them, wounding to French peacekeepers in the legs.  Before that, at least 13 people died when Christian Anti-Balaka attacked a town still held by Muslim Seleka rebels in a rural area of the CAR.