A convoy from Bambari secured by the Mauritanian contingent of the integrated multidimensional United Nations Mission for Stabilization in Central African Republic (MINUSCA) has been targeted in an armed attack occurred, on Thursday 13 October, around 19 hours, between Grimari and Sibut.

According to preliminary information, a group of armed elements estimated at fifty opened fire against peacekeepers and civilian convoy, while they were trying to repair a vehicle of the convoy.

UN peacekeepers immediately responded to this attack which caused the death of a civilian who was part of the convoy and injured five among the peacekeepers. The wounded receive care from Mauritanian military doctors. Two assailants were also killed during firefights, and two weapons recovered.

MINUSCA expresses its strong indignation against this new attack against civilians and its personnel on the ground for unknown and unjustified reasons.

MINUSCA stress that harming life of a peacekeeper may be considered a war crime and is punishable in accordance with international laws.

"Every effort will be made to find the perpetrators of this attack in order to answer to their crimes to justice," said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of United Nations and Chief of MINUSCA, Parfait Onanga- Anyanga.

MINUSCA is more determined than ever to pursue its civilian population security missions and support the extension of State authority impartially and rigorously.