Security Council Press Statement on Attack against United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Central African Republic

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Liu Jieyi (China):

The members of the Security Council condemned the killing of a peacekeeper from the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) on 17 April 2016 in the town of Rafai in Mbomou Prefecture.

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms all attacks and provocations against MINUSCA by armed groups.  They reiterated that attacks against peacekeepers may constitute war crimes and reminded all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law.  They called on the Government of the Central African Republic to investigate this attack and hold the perpetrators to account.  They stressed that those responsible for the attack should be held accountable.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the family of the peacekeeper killed and to the Kingdom of Morocco and to MINUSCA.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support for MINUSCA to assist the newly elected Government, which bears the primary responsibility to protect its 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).