Bangui, 21 June 2025 - The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for the Central African Republic and Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), Valentine Rugwabiza, condemns in the strongest possible terms the attack carried out yesterday by unidentified armed elements against a MINUSCA force patrol in Am-Sissia 1, 34 km north-east of Birao in the Vakaga prefecture.

Two peacekeepers from the Zambian contingent were seriously injured during the attack. One of them succumbed to his injuries.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General extends her heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Zambia and expresses her profound sympathy to the family of the victim. She wishes a speedy recovery to the injured peacekeeper.

The Head of MINUSCA expresses her deep concern over the increasing number of attacks against peacekeepers in the Central African Republic, recalling that this is the third deadly attack against MINUSCA patrols since the beginning of 2025. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General further recalls that attacks against United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law. She calls on the Central African authorities to make every effort to identify the perpetrators of these acts so that they can be swiftly brought to justice.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of MINUSCA reaffirms that these cowardly attacks against the Mission’s peacekeepers will not undermine MINUSCA’s determination to fully implement its mandate in support of peace and stability in the Central African Republic.

Contact :        Florence Marchal, porte-parole de la MINUSCA / MINUSCA Spokesperson

                       +236 75 98 13 17 – marchalf@un.org