French President Francois Hollande has been visiting his peacekeeping forces in the Central African Republic (CAR).

It is his second visit since France sent in troops to support African Union forces.

Hollande said that the allies’ goal was to prevent the break-up of the country, and protect lives on both sides of the religious divide.

“We must put an end, where it exists to the settling of scores, reestablish the government’s authority and allow it to engage in dialogue and prevent any breakaway movement from the eastern part of the Central African Republic,” Hollande said at a press conference.

The United Nations has warned of the deteriorating situation in CAR.

UNHCR Emergency Coordinator for Central African Republic, Philippe Leclerc explained: “It’s one of the most if not the most difficult places that I have been, and it reminded me the early days of my position in Srebrenica, of the Muslim enclaves in Bosnia Herzegovina. The violence is as tough and the situation of the people is extremely dire.”