Security Council Press Statement on Central African Republic — Attack against MINUSCA

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Olof Skoog (Sweden):

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the ambush perpetrated by unknown attackers against a convoy of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) on 5 January in Bokayai, in the north-west part of the country, in which one Bangladeshi peacekeeper was killed.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family of the peacekeeper killed, the Government of Bangladesh and MINUSCA, and extended their sympathies to the Government of the Central African Republic.

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 Republic authorities to swiftly investigate 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 in assisting the Central African Republic authorities, which bear the primary responsibility for protecting 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 2301 (2016).