Security Council Press Statement on Attack against UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Elbio Rosselli (Uruguay):

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the attack on a Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) convoy near Bangassou (Mbomou) on 8 May 2017 by alleged anti-Balaka elements, which resulted in four Cambodian peacekeepers killed, 10 wounded, including nine Moroccans and one Cambodian, and one Moroccan peacekeeper reported missing in action.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, and their deepest sympathy to the families of the peacekeepers injured and the peacekeeper missing, as well as to the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Kingdom of Morocco, and to MINUSCA.  They wished the injured a speedy recovery.

The members of the Security Council urged the Central African Republic authorities to continue the search for the missing peacekeeper from MINUSCA.

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.

The members of the Security Council called on the Government of the Central African Republic to swiftly investigate this attack and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support for MINUSCA.  They reiterated their strong support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Central African Republic, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, and for MINUSCA to assist the Central African Republic authorities 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).