Peacekeepers of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) mounted a military operation in the PK5 area of Bangui in the early afternoon of 20 June 2016 to extract Central African and UN policemen from the Commissariat building which was surrounded by a hostile and armed crowd.

During the course of that operation, gunshots were fired at MINUSCA forces and they returned fire. At least six protesters were killed, and three others arrested. One UN soldier suffered injuries from a grenade. All the police officers were safely extracted from the Commissariat. 

MINUSCA strongly condemns this act of hostility and recalls that attacks against UN personnel could constitute a war crime punishable under international law. MINUSCA calls on all parties involved in these criminal acts to act with restraint, to refrain from violence and particularly armed violence, and to work for a peaceful and inclusive future for all. 

"We are at a crucial turning point in the history of the Central African Republic; sliding back into violence dangerously undermines the democratic progress to date, and jeopardizes the fragile gains in reconciliation and social cohesion ", said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of MINUSCA, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga.

As stipulated in its mandate, MINUSCA is in the Central African Republic to restore peace and stability, state authority and the rule of law. MINUSCA will continue to support the national authorities in fulfilling that mandate.