The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) takes note of the report published by Human Rights Watch on 7 June 2016 on the killings allegedly committed by soldiers of the Republic of Congo in Boali, Mambéré and Berberati between December 2013 and June 2015.

The Mission welcomes of the report and shares the need to ensure that justice is served to the victims. MINUSCA urges the authorities of the Republic of Congo to take all measures to ensure that perpetrators of such crimes are held accountable.

Concerning the case of Boali, the unit of the Republic of Congo army implicated in these killings was repatriated in 2014, before the transfer of authority from the African Union Mission (MISCA) to the United Nations (MINUSCA) in September 2014. Since then, MINUSCA has conducted three investigations and has advocated - in collaboration with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights – with the African Union and the authorities of the Republic of Congo for criminal investigations to be launched. The findings of investigations conducted by MINUSCA’s Human Rights Division were shared by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights with the Congolese government and the Central African authorities in June 2015. They were made public in a press statement release by the Office of the High Commissioner on 5 June 2015. On 3 May 2016, the authorities of the Republic of Congo informed the United Nations of an investigation into the Boali incidents, initiated on 30 June 2015.

MINUSCA regrets the exhumation of remains in Boali, done under the supervision of an international NGO at the request of local authorities. The exhumation was fully documented and MINUSCA believes that DNA samples can still be retrieved and used. While the protection of this site is a national responsibility, the Mission provided all information it had gathered during its investigations to the CAR authorities.

Concerning the case of Mambéré, when the Mission received allegations of excessive use of force involving peacekeepers of the Republic of Congo, it immediately launched an investigation. Following this investigation, 20 members of the Congolese contingent, of which three were senior officers, were repatriated. The findings of a second United Nations investigation into these allegations will be made public in due course. The authorities of the Republic of Congo informed MINUSCA of an ongoing judicial inquiry and that interim disciplinary measures were taken against individuals and commanders involved in these incidents.

The United Nations, including MINUSCA, is determined to ensure that all abuse perpetrated by those who are supposed to preserve peace and protect civilians, be it from within a UN operation, the African Union or another peacekeeping force, will be investigated and justice served.