French president going to C. African Republic, amid French military operation to stem chaos
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}French troops patrol past two Seleka, the alliance of mostly Muslim rebel groups, vehicles set on fire by Christian mobs in Bangui, Central African Republic, Monday Dec. 9, 2013. Both Christian and Muslim mobs went on lynching sprees as French Forces deploy in the capital. At least one Seleka suspect was stoned to death by the crowds. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay) (The Associated Press)
French President Francois Hollande is going to the Central African Republic just days into a tricky French military operation there to try to restore calm amid sectarian violence.
Hollande's office announced that he will travel to the former French colony on Tuesday, after attending a memorial in South Africa to Nelson Mandela.
Muslim rebels known as Seleka overthrew the government of themajority Christian nation nine months ago, sparking mounting violence. After the U.N. Security Council authorized international intervention last week, France sent in hundreds of troops in an effort to stop the bloodshed.