It was at the camp of the MINUSCA Formed Police Unit of the Republic of Congo (FPU-Congo 11) in Bambari, that a ceremony was held on 24 September 2025, to pay tribute to the five Congolese peacekeepers who were victims of a tragic accident on 16 September near Damara, in the center of the Central African Republic (CAR).  

Tragedy struck when an armored vehicle in which seven peacekeepers were traveling fell into the Ombella River. Two of them escaped from the vehicle, but four of their comrades lost their lives: Colonel Moukilou Hermann Gildas Armel, Deputy Commander of FPU-Congo 11, Adjutant Ntsoumou Regis, Sergeant Ossere Anguissy Ulrich Fevier, and Chief Brigadier Matondo Nzaba Jules. The search for the fifth peacekeeper, Sergeant MIyokidi Bazola Sage Duvin, is ongoing.  

“You are not alone,” declared the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, offering her condolences to the families, the Government, and the people of Congo, and conveying those of the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix. She thanked the President of the Central African Republic and the Government for their messages of condolence conveyed by the Prime Minister, the many Central African dignitaries who expressed their solidarity, the Minister of Interior and Public Security, who accompanied the search operations in the field, and the Central African people, in particular the residents of Ombella-M’Poko. 

“By choosing to come to Bambari, we wanted to express our condolences, show our full solidarity, and pay tribute to our deceased and missing colleagues, here where they were deployed,” stated Valentine Rugwabiza, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Head of MINUSCA.  

Members of the delegation from Bangui, including the Deputy Force Commander General Maychel Asmi, UN Police Component Commander, Commissioner Christophe Bizimungu, Director General of the National Gendarmerie, Lieutenant General Landry-Ulrich Dépôt, Director General of the National Police, Comptroller General Bienvenu Zokoué, as well as the Chargé d'Affaires and Defence Attaché of the Embassy of the Republic of Congo in the Central African Republic also paid tribute to the victims' lives in the fulfillment of their mission in the CAR. The Prefect of Ouaka and the Mayor of Bambari also took part in the ceremony.

“May your sacrifice inspire new generations,” said Colonel Berenger Aymar Issombo, the Commander of FPU while Special Representative Rugwabiza highlighted that “their contribution remains a source of inspiration for the FPU-Congo and MINUSCA.” 

Despite the trying circumstances, Congolese peacekeepers were encouraged to remain steadfast in the pursuit of their mission, which began on 7 July 2025, when they were deployed to Bambari, and will continue over the next 10 months. “It is time to get back on our feet, move forward, and continue the mission,” said Colonel Thierry Makouala, the Defense Attaché of the Congolese Embassy.  

“We mourn our soldiers, but we are getting back on our feet to continue our mission,” said the Special Representative, reaffirming her support for FPU-Congo 11. “We know we can count on the support of the Central Africans in fulfilling our mandate,” she added.