One day after a rebel attack at PK12 on the outskirts of Bangui, the MINUSCA Force Commander General Daniel Sidiki Traoré paid a visit to several local neighbourhoods on 14 January 2021.

A peacekeeper from Rwanda was killed and another was injured on 13 January, during efforts by the Central African Republic (CAR) defence and security forces and MINUSCA to repel the attack launched by the anti-Balaka, UPC, 3R and MPC coalition of armed groups and their political allies, in their attempt to capture Bangui.

General Traoré sought to reassure the population in the wake of the deadly clashes that put Bangui and its surroundings at a standstill. During his visit to the PK12 and PK13 neighbourhoods as well as the commune of Bégoua, the Force Commander met with local residents, who shared their experiences of the previous day’s events.

At PK13, in the Yembi 1 neighbourhood, a group of about 10 youths engaged him in conversation and shared their fears with him. “We're glad you're here. Yesterday, we were with some members of MINUSCA. We helped them identify the attackers,” said one of them. The latter added that they are ready to do more but fear potential reprisals and would therefore need a more discreet channel of communication with the UN Mission.

“You are courageous people. Your country can be proud of you. Please continue to help us by giving us information in real time so that we can neutralize the attackers,” said the Force Commander. He assured them of MINUSCA’s continued presence by their side, in accordance with the mandate of the United Nations.

At the same location, a woman on the verge of tears also approached the Force Commander to thank MINUSCA and its leadership. “Nzapa â bata alla,” she said in Sangho – “God bless you.”

In Beg​oua Commune, which also saw fighting, the Force Commander embarked on a foot patrol with the Rwandan blue helmets – a practical way to reassure the inhabitants. “We need this interaction with the population because they need to know that, hand in hand, we can move forward for peace and security,” he underlined.

General Traoré noted the resumption of daily activities in and around CAR’s capital 24 hours after the fighting, adding that it was “thanks to the operations that were carried out yesterday”.

Calm has returned to Bangui and its neighboring areas a day after rebel attempts to capture the city and daily life is back on track. More checkpoints were erected around the city overnight by the national authorities – part of efforts to reinforce security. Moreover, a nationwide curfew was imposed from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. – by Head of State Faustin Touadéra.

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern over “the continued destabilization efforts by armed groups in the Central African Republic” and called for an end to the violence and for all parties to engage in meaningful dialogue, in a statement issued on 13 January. He applauded the continued efforts of UN peacekeepers to protect civilians and maintain stability in the CAR, while stressing that “attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes”.

General Traoré heads a 11,650-strong MINUSCA military force that, together with the United Nations police (UNPOL), works with the national authorities to secure the Central African Republic