After hesitating for a long time, France in turn entered the crisis in the Central African Republic.
On Wednesday, three Air Force Mirages flew over the capital, Bangui, then, at low altitude, the main roads around.
Since Friday, these axes have been the scene of fighting between loyalist forces and a coalition of rebels which threaten the stability of the capital.
For Paris, the objective of the maneuver is to clearly show its support for the government and for President Faustin-Archange Touadéra.
It was not easy.
Relations between France and President Touadéra are notoriously strained, especially since the latter made Russia his main ally.
On Saturday, an official letter from the Central African authorities to France requesting such overflights had not been answered.
Wednesday morning, President Emmanuel Macron finally spoke on the phone with his counterpart to, according to a French source,
"specify the requests"
.
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