Secretary-General Condemns Killing of Peacekeeper in Central African Republic, Calls for Swiftly Bringing Perpetrators to Justice

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General condemns the killing this morning of a peacekeeper from the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) in Bangui.

MINUSCA peacekeepers were attacked by an armed group during a search operation intended to arrest a suspected criminal in application of a judicial warrant from the Public Prosecutor of Bangui.  One peacekeeper was killed and eight were injured.  MINUSCA arrested three suspects in the operation.

The Secretary-General deplores in the strongest terms attacks against United Nations peacekeepers and calls for swift action to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice.  He further calls on all armed groups to respect the impartiality of MINUSCA.

The Secretary-General reiterates the commitment of the United Nations to support the Central African authorities in their fight against criminality and putting an end to impunity, in line with MINUSCA’s mandate and within its area of deployment.

The Secretary-General offers his condolences to the bereaved family and to the Government and people of Cameroon.  He wishes a speedy recovery to the injured.