Condemning Killing of Peacekeepers in Central African Republic, Secretary-General Expresses Deep Concern that Unrest Threatens Gains towards Lasting Peace

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

The Secretary-General condemns the killing of two peacekeepers of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) on 25 July in Bangassou.  This incident brings to nine the number of peacekeepers killed in service in Bangassou since the beginning of the year.

The Secretary-General offers his condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families and to the Government of Morocco.  He urges the Central African authorities to swiftly investigate this and all previous killings without delay and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned at the fighting in the south-east of the Central African Republic, heightened inter-ethnic tensions and efforts by spoilers to derail the stabilization process in the country.  If allowed to continue, the prevailing situation risks undermining the hard-won gains achieved towards lasting peace.

The Secretary-General calls on all parties to cease violence and to take action to avoid a further deterioration of the fragile security situation in the country.