MINUSCA loses two peacekeepers in traffic accidents

Two peacekeepers of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), Alex Katurebe and Mbot Gustave Maitre, from Rwanda and Cameroon respectively, succumbed to their injuries on June 5 2016, as a result of traffic accidents.

The accident that claimed the life of soldier Alex Katurebe occurred on the road from Bouar-Baoro in the Prefecture of Nana Mambéré, Western region. His vehicle went off the road 8 km from Bouar, capital of the Prefecture while he was travelling on an official assignment ahead of President Touadéra’s visit on June 6, 2016. He died of his injuries during his evacuation to Bouar Hospital. Three others soldiers from the Rwandan battalion were admitted to MINUSCA’s Hospital in Bangui.

The same day, another traffic accident took the life of soldier Mbot Gustave Maitre whose vehicle also went off the road. Three Cameroonian peacekeepers were wounded and also evacuated to MINUSCA’s Hospital in Bangui.

The remains of the soldiers arrived in Bangui on June 6 where the Mission will pay a final tribute to the deceased soldiers. MINUSCA expresses its deepest condolences to their families and to the Governments and People of Rwanda and Cameroon.

Since its deployment in September 2014, the quest for peace and stability in the Central African Republic has claimed the lives of 31 MINUSCA personnel.

Communiqués de presse