The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) strongly condemns the attack on one of its convoys Monday night, near Bangassou (474 km east of Bangui).

The convoy, which had left Rafai for Bangassou, was targeted by armed elements at around 20h00 near the village of Yogofongo, 20 km from its destination. One Cambodian peacekeeper was killed and eight peacekeepers were injured, including one Cambodian and seven Moroccan. Four peacekeepers are missing in action, among them three Cambodian soldiers and 1 Moroccan soldier. The perpetrators of the attack fled into the bush.

MINUSCA has sent a helicopter and peacekeepers to secure the site and search for those missing in action. A medevac plane evacuated the injured peacekeepers; they have arrived in Bangui and are receiving medical care.

MINUSCA vigorously denounces this odious attack on peacekeepers whose presence on Central African soil has no other objective than to help the country to protect its population and to allow the Central African Republic to emerge from the cycle of violence caused by armed groups.

MINUSCA will do everything possible to ensure that the perpetrators of the attack are arrested so that they can be brought to justice. MINUSCA recalls that "harming the life of a peacekeeper can be considered a war crime and subject to prosecution".

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of MINUSCA Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, extends “deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family of the victim, his contingent and his country,” and expresses his “immense gratitude for the work and sacrifices of the peacekeepers in protecting the population in the Central African Republic.”​

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Division de Communication Stratégique et d'information publique 

MINUSCA | Mission multidimensionnelle intégrée des Nations Unies pour la stabilisation en République centrafricaine 

https://minusca.unmissions.org  | @UN_CAR |