French Troops Round Up Central African Mutineers

BANGUI, Central African Republic — French troops trucked mutinous soldiers back to barracks Monday, underlining the former colonial power’s decisive role in ending the country’s latest military uprising.

Most of the renegade Central Africans ended their mutiny quietly Monday. A few seemed reluctant at first to leave downtown streets and even fired their weapons into the air, but when confronted by French troops they meekly filed into trucks to be driven back to their barracks.

The soldiers gained little beyond President Ange Patasse’s promise that they will not be prosecuted for the uprising that began May 18. In the face of French military might, the estimated 200 mutineers withdrew earlier demands, including a call for Patasse’s resignation.

But Patasse was no winner. The uprising was deeply humiliating, forcing him to rely upon the French to keep him in office. The ferocity of the French intervention has prompted civilian anger toward Patasse and led opposition activists to demand new elections.

At the same time, the violence has forced more than 1,000 foreigners, mainly French and U.S. aid workers and business people, to flee the country, which badly needs foreign investment and aid.

The uprising began to crumble Sunday when mutineers released four hostages, including a government minister and the head of the National Assembly, to French military mediators.

Col. Maurice Regonessa, the army chief of staff, remained with the mutineers, but some soldiers said he was there to show solidarity with the army rather than being held against his will.