Danish aircraft to Africa

Foreign minister urges parliament to get involved in Central African Republic

The government will submit a motion next Tuesday to send a Danish Hercules aircraft to the Central African Republic (CAR).

Parliament will consider the resolution on April 3 in response to an ongoing sectarian conflict in the CAR between Christians and Muslims that has cost thousands of lives.

A Hercules aircraft is currently stationed in Mali, but will in the future also be used in CAR and kept within the already approved budget.

Ready to support UN and France
Danish soldiers will be involved in military operations in the war-torn African country that are being carried out under the UN and France.

Martin Lidegaard (R), the foreign minister, explained why Denmark would get involved in a civil war in a far-away African country.

"The situation in the CAR is extraordinary, so when the UN and strong allies like France ask for help, we are ready," Lidegaard told Politiken newspaper.