Secretary-General Strongly Condemns Attack against United Nations Peacekeepers in Central African Republic as Possible War Crime

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the attack perpetrated by suspected anti-Balaka against a convoy of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) on 8 May, on the Rafai-Bangassou axis, in the south-east of the Central African Republic.  The attack led to the deaths of four peacekeepers while 10 others have been evacuated to Bangui.  One peacekeeper is still missing.

The Secretary-General offers his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and the Governments of the concerned troop-contributing countries, and wishes a swift recovery to the wounded.  The Secretary-General would like to underline that attacks against United Nations peacekeepers may constitute a war crime.  He calls on the Central African Republic authorities to investigate the attack in order to swiftly bring those responsible to justice.

The Secretary-General would like to reiterate his support to the actions of MINUSCA to protect civilians and stabilize the Central African Republic, and call on all parties to heed President Faustin Archange Touadéra’s call to cease violence and work together towards the stability of the country.