Once Again, French Troops Intervene In Africa
Once again, French television screens are full of images of joyous Africans welcoming French troops.
For the second time this year, France has sent troops into an African country to quell violence. In January, the French military intervened in Mali to help liberate large swaths of the country from radical jihadists.
Last week French soldiers went into Central African Republic to stop sectarian killings.
In news report from Central African Republic, crowds yell, "Vive la France!" as they run out to greet convoys of French soldiers.
France has intervened recently not only in Mali and Central African Republic, but also in Ivory Coast in 2011 to back a democratically elected president. The actions have prompted some to wonder if the country is slipping back into its old role of gendarme of Africa.
Harold Hyman, foreign policy analyst with the French channel BFM TV, says it's a different era now.
"A generation ago, France would support dictators," Hyman says. "Today, the situation's different. If France does not go into a country that's in destruction and mayhem, there are demonstrations in the street from the diaspora of those countries — 'Why aren't you helping us?' So we've settled into this acceptance of a sort of big brother role."
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