Hundreds protest against African army parade

Demonstrators in the 18th district of Paris protesting against an African army parade Cristina Barrios

Hundreds of people turned out Tuesday evening as part of a mass demonstration against the proposed Bastille Day parade, including the armies of 13 African countries.

The NGOs organising the demonstration in central Paris say some of the generals taking part are guilty of war crimes and are calling on the government to provide a list of the attendees.

Organisers say 2000 people took to the streets, including 70 NGO representatives, trade unions and associations representing undocumented workers. However police say only 700 people are protesting.

Demonstartors wielded banners with messages such as “liberate us from 50 years of Françafrique", referring to the relations between France and its former African colonies since independence.

Earlier on Tuesday, French President Nicolas Sarkozy met with 13 leaders of francophone Africa at the Élysée Palace.