Secretary-General Condemns Killing of Peacekeeper in Central African Republic Capital, Reiterates Call on Armed Groups to End Fighting

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

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

A MINUSCA convoy travelling from Damara to Ngerengou (Ombella-Mpoko prefecture) came under fire by an unknown group of armed elements, some 55 kilometres north of Bangui.  The MINUSCA military escort, composed of a Burundian infantry company, returned fire.  During the exchange, one peacekeeper was killed and another was injured.

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 reiterates his call for all armed groups to end the fighting and lay down their weapons.

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.

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