Security Council Press Statement on Central African Republic

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Joy Ogwu (Nigeria):

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the attacks against a convoy of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) on 2 August 2015 in Bangui, in which one peacekeeper was killed, and several others were injured.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the family of the peacekeeper killed and to the Government of Cameroon and to MINUSCA.  The members of the Security Council wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms all attacks and provocations against MINUSCA by armed groups.  They underlined that attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute a war crime and reminded all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law.  They called on the Central African authorities to swiftly investigate, with the assistance of MINUSCA, this attack and bring the perpetrators to justice.  They stressed that those responsible for the attack shall be held accountable.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support for MINUSCA to assist the Transitional Authorities, which bear the primary responsibility to protect the population, and the people of the Central African Republic in their efforts to bring lasting peace and stability to their country, as mandated by the Security Council in resolution 2217 (2015).