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

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Koro Bessho (Japan):

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) detachment that was protecting an internally displaced persons camp in Bria on 4 December 2017 by suspected anti‑Balaka elements which resulted in one Mauritanian peacekeeper killed and two other Mauritanian peacekeepers and one Zambian peacekeeper injured.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the family of the peacekeeper killed, and their deepest sympathy to the family of the peacekeepers injured, as well as to Mauritania, Zambia and to MINUSCA.  They wished the injured a speedy recovery.

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms all attacks, provocations and incitement to violence against MINUSCA by armed groups and other perpetrators.  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 and expressed their deep appreciation to MINUSCA’s troop- and police‑contributing countries.  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, as mandated by the Security Council in resolution 2387 (2017).